Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Appointed DGAFMS

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja has been appointed as the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) of India with effect from 31 August 2026. He will take charge after the retirement of Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin on 31 August 2026. He was serving as the Director General Medical Services (Air) before this appointment.

Director General Armed Forces Medical Services

The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services is the senior-most medical appointment in the Indian Armed Forces medical system. The post coordinates medical services for the Army, Navy and Air Force under the Ministry of Defence. The DGAFMS is responsible for policy, administration and operational medical readiness across the three services.

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja: Education and Career

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. He was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1986. He earned an MD in Medicine in 1997 and a DM in Gastroenterology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, in 2005. He received the Best DM Student Award at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Key Appointments and Medical Preparedness

During a career spanning nearly four decades, he served as Commandant of Military Hospital Pathankot, Commandant of Command Hospital Lucknow, and Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. As Director General Medical Services (Air), he worked on operational medical preparedness and support for the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission. He also supported the operationalisation of the BHISHM Cube for rapid medical response.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Armed Forces Medical Services provides medical support to personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
• The Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, is a premier medical institution under the Ministry of Defence.
• AIIMS, New Delhi, is an Institute of National Importance under the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956.
• Gaganyaan is India’s human spaceflight mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.

DGAFMS in Defence Administration

The DGAFMS post is linked with medical administration, training and healthcare delivery in the armed forces. The appointment is relevant for defence medicine, military hospitals and emergency medical planning in India.