NEW DELHI, May 30: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday formally bid farewell to military service, describing his tenure as “highly satisfying and excellent,” after receiving a ceremonial Tri-Services Guard of Honour and paying tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, General Chauhan said it was a matter of great honour to retire with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour and expressed gratitude to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS).
“With the conclusion of the Guard of Honour, I bid farewell to my colleagues in uniform and comrades-in-arms. I also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial for the last time in uniform as a tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said.
General Chauhan noted that the ceremony symbolised his transition from military to civilian life and thanked his family, friends and well-wishers who were present on the occasion.
The farewell marked the end of an illustrious military career spanning more than four decades. Commissioned into the Indian Army in 1981, he held several important command and staff appointments and was decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
His tenure as CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, had been extended by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet in September 2025, allowing him to continue in office until May 30, 2026.
As CDS, General Chauhan played a key role in advancing jointness and integration among the three armed services. On Friday, he released the Joint Air Defence Doctrine, aimed at strengthening coordination, operational preparedness and synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Earlier this week, he chaired the final meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and launched the Tri-Services Tele Directory Web Application developed by the Directorate General of Signals to improve communication and coordination across the defence establishment.
Addressing personnel at Headquarters IDS and the Department of Military Affairs before his retirement, General Chauhan highlighted “JAI” — Jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and Innovation — as the guiding principles for transforming the Indian Armed Forces.
His tenure is widely seen as one marked by efforts to enhance tri-services integration, strengthen operational effectiveness and accelerate defence modernisation.
