Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja appointed as DGAFMS w.e.f. August 31, 2026

The Ministry of Defence has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM & Bar, currently Director General Medical Services (Air), as the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) effective 31 August 2026, succeeding DGAFMS Vice Admiral Arti Sarin. Thareja, an AFMC alumnus commissioned in December 1986, holds an MD (1997) and a DM in Gastroenterology (2005) from AIIMS, New Delhi, and has served in senior medical roles including Commandant of Military Hospital Pathankot, Commandant of Command Hospital Lucknow, Director & Commandant of AFMC, Pune, and DGMS (Air). He has overseen medical preparedness for the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission and the operationalisation of the BHISHM Cube for rapid medical response, and has been awarded the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal twice.