The Ministry of Defence has announced the appointment of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as the 47th Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) with effect from 01 September 2026. In this role, he will be responsible for delivering medical care across all three services of the Defence Forces. The appointment takes place during a period of significant change in military healthcare, with focus on operational readiness, modernisation and digital health systems.
Who is Air Marshal Thareja and what is his background
Air Marshal Thareja is a graduate of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1986. He holds an MD in Medicine from Delhi University and a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi, and has specialised in gastroenterology and internal medicine.
Over nearly four decades of service, he has held several significant positions. These include Commandant of 167 Military Hospital, Brigadier In-Charge Administration at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, Commandant of Command Hospital (Central Command), Director and Commandant at AFMC Pune, and most recently, Director General of Medical Services (Air).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he managed complex healthcare and administrative challenges at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. At Command Hospital, Lucknow, he oversaw preparation of a Detailed Project Report for a new hospital facility. As DGMS (Air), he contributed to India’s Gaganyaan Mission and astronaut selection and training programmes.
He was also instrumental in coordinating BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) cubes, which were provided to Maldives, Jamaica, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Myanmar as humanitarian assistance.
What this means for you
If you are serving in the armed forces, a veteran or a dependent of defence personnel, this appointment will shape the quality and delivery of your medical care. The DGAFMS oversees healthcare systems across military hospitals and medical institutions nationwide. The appointment emphasises priorities including digital health systems, medical research, training of medical personnel and maintaining operational medical readiness. As a serving member or veteran, your access to military healthcare and the standard of medical services available to you will be influenced by the direction set by this leadership.