Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who played a key role in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor in May 2025 as the Indian Army's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), has been appointed as the new Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
He will succeed General N.S. Raja Subramani, who recently took over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), according to news agency PTI.
Currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), Lt Gen Ghai becomes the first serving three-star Army officer to be appointed Military Adviser to the NSCS.
The position is considered significant as it serves as a key link between the armed forces and India's top national security decision-making apparatus.
Both the current CDS General N.S. Raja Subramani and former CDS General Anil Chauhan have previously held the post.
During Operation Sindoor, in his role as DGMO, he worked closely with his counterparts from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy in the execution of the operation.
A veteran infantry officer from the Kumaon Regiment, Lt Gen Ghai has held several important command appointments during his military career. He has commanded an infantry battalion in the western sector, an independent brigade in the Central sector and the 56th Infantry Division in Arunachal Pradesh. He also commanded the Srinagar-based 15 Corps.
Lt Gen Ghai is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and the National Defence College.
