Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja took charge as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in New Delhi. In his new role, he will oversee comprehensive medical support for the Defence Forces, including healthcare services for serving personnel, veterans and their dependents. His appointment comes as the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) continues to focus on operational preparedness, modernisation and improving military healthcare.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted several priority areas for the AFMS under the new leadership, including jointness, digital health, medical research and innovation, human-resource development and the delivery of quality healthcare. The appointment comes at a time when military medical services are adapting to changing operational requirements while integrating newer technologies and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Air Marshal Thareja was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1986. A physician and gastroenterologist, he completed his MD in Medicine in Delhi and DM in Gastroenterology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. His career in the Armed Forces has spanned nearly four decades across clinical, academic, operational and administrative assignments.
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His key appointments have included Commandant of 167 Military Hospital, Brigadier In-Charge Administration and Commander Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment, and Commandant of Command Hospital, Central Command. During his tenure at Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he handled complex healthcare and administrative challenges. At Command Hospital, Lucknow, he was also associated with the preparation of the Detailed Project Report for a new Command Hospital.
Before becoming DGAFMS, Air Marshal Thareja served as Director and Commandant of AFMC Pune, where he led initiatives focused on strengthening medical education and research. As DGMS (Air), he played a key role in medical initiatives linked to the Gaganyaan Mission, including analogue experiments for astronaut selection and training. Under his stewardship, BHISHM healthcare cubes were also provided to several countries as part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
Ahead of assuming charge as DGAFMS, Air Marshal Thareja paid homage to fallen military personnel by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. His new responsibilities place him at the helm of the country's military medical services, with a focus on operational medical preparedness, healthcare modernisation, research, innovation and support for personnel and their families.
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