Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja: India’s military health system is getting a big new leader. The government has named Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, or DGAFMS. He will take charge on August 31, 2026, after Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin retires. The Defence Ministry made the announcement on July 31, 2026. At present, Thareja is serving as Director General Medical Services (Air).
This appointment matters because the DGAFMS is the top medical officer for the Indian Armed Forces. The office looks after medical policy and also helps guide health services across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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A Doctor With Long Service
Air Marshal Thareja has spent nearly four decades in the Armed Forces Medical Services. He studied at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, and was commissioned in December 1986. Later, he earned his MD in Medicine in 1997 and his DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi in 2005. He also received the Best DM Student Award there. His record also includes an “A” grade in every military course he took, and he is an alumnus of the National Defence College.
His career has covered many important jobs. He has worked as Senior Consultant (Medicine) in the Office of DGAFMS, Commandant at Military Hospital Pathankot, Commandant at Command Hospital Lucknow, Director and Commandant of AFMC Pune, and later as Director General Medical Services (Air). These roles show that he has worked in both hospital care and top-level defence medical planning.
Why was he Chosen?
The government has picked him because he brings a mix of medical skill, leadership, and defence experience. He is not only a senior doctor. He has also handled administration, operations, teaching, and planning for military health services. That makes him a strong choice to lead the system at a time when the armed forces need fast, modern, and reliable medical support.
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During his time as Director General Medical Services (Air), Thareja helped improve medical readiness for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. He also helped put the BHISHM Cube into use, which is meant to support quick medical response in military and humanitarian situations. On top of that, he has guided postgraduate and super-speciality students and has written more than 50 research papers in Indian and foreign medical journals.
He has also received major honours for his work. These include the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal with Bar. All of this shows a career built on long service, deep medical knowledge, and steady leadership.
