Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Takes Over as DGAFMS

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja assumed charge as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on 1 September 2026. The DGAFMS heads the tri-services medical organisation that provides healthcare support to the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

Director General Armed Forces Medical Services

The DGAFMS is the senior-most appointment in the Armed Forces Medical Services, which functions under the Ministry of Defence. The post coordinates medical administration, clinical services, training and policy matters for military healthcare establishments across India.

Career Profile of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja

Air Marshal Thareja was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps on 30 December 1986 after graduating from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine in Gastroenterology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, in 2005. He served as Director General Medical Services (Air) from 10 February 2025 before taking over as DGAFMS. He also served as Commandant of Command Hospital, Lucknow, from 5 June 2021 to 3 September 2022.

Armed Forces Medical Services in India

The Armed Forces Medical Services is a tri-services organisation that provides medical care to serving personnel, dependants and veterans. It also supports field medical units, military hospitals, preventive medicine, aeromedical services and medical training institutions. Armed Forces Medical College in Pune is one of India’s premier military medical institutions. The Army Medical Corps is one of the oldest specialist corps of the Indian Army and provides medical officers for operational and peacetime duties.

Important Facts for Exams

• Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin was the first woman officer to head the Armed Forces Medical Services.
• The National War Memorial is located in New Delhi and honours fallen soldiers of India.
• Service awards such as the Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal are conferred for distinguished service in the Indian Armed Forces.
• The Armed Forces Medical Services functions as a tri-services medical organisation under the Ministry of Defence.

Military Medical Administration

Military medical administration in India includes hospital management, combat casualty care, preventive health and specialist treatment for personnel. The DGAFMS also oversees coordination among service-specific medical branches and central military hospitals.