Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of the Indian Army and who spearheaded military operations as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during Operation Sindoor last year, has been appointed as the new Military Adviser (MA) to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).

This marks the first time that a serving military officer has been appointed Military Adviser to the NSCS, which functions under National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

Lt. Gen. Ghai, whose tenure in service extends till December 2027, was appointed to the post earlier this week. He is expected to assume charge shortly.

The position was previously held by General N.S. Raja Subramani before he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff. Prior to him, the post was occupied by Air Marshal Sandeep Singh and, earlier, by General Anil Chauhan.

Commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment, Lt. Gen. Ghai has held several key operational and command appointments during his distinguished military career. His appointment is being seen as a significant move aimed at strengthening military inputs and operational expertise within the country’s highest national security decision-making framework.