Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Takes Charge As DGAFMS

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, a distinguished physician and gastroenterologist, assumed charge as the new Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on September 1, 2026. Prior to assuming charge, he paid homage to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.

As the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Air Marshal Thareja will oversee the provision of comprehensive medical support to the defence forces. An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, he was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1986.

Air Marshal Thareja has had an illustrious career spanning nearly four decades, holding a wide spectrum of clinical, academic, operational, and administrative appointments. He has completed his MD in medicine from Delhi and DM in gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi.

During his tenure, he has held important command and administrative assignments, including Commandant, 167 Military Hospital, Brigadier In-Charge Administration and Commander Troops, Base Hospital at Delhi Cantonment, and Commandant, Command Hospital (Central Command).

As Director and Commandant at AFMC Pune, he spearheaded several initiatives aimed at strengthening medical education and research. He also gave thrust to the Gaganyaan Mission and was the leading force behind analogue experiments to astronaut selection and training.

The appointment of Air Marshal Thareja comes at a time of significant transformation within the AFMS, with a continuing emphasis on operational medical preparedness, jointness, modernisation of military healthcare, digital health, medical research and innovation, human resource development, and delivery of high-quality healthcare to serving personnel, veterans, and their dependents.

Air Marshal Thareja's tenure at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment during the Covid-19 pandemic was marked by the management of complex and rapidly evolving healthcare and administrative challenges. He also prepared a detailed project report for a new command hospital in record time when he was in-charge of the Command Hospital, Lucknow.

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) plays a crucial role in providing medical support to the defence forces. With Air Marshal Thareja at the helm, the AFMS is expected to continue its efforts towards modernising military healthcare and delivering high-quality healthcare to serving personnel, veterans, and their dependents.

The appointment of Air Marshal Thareja is significant, given the ongoing efforts to modernise the AFMS and improve the delivery of healthcare services to the defence forces. His experience and expertise in the field of medicine and healthcare administration are expected to be invaluable in driving the transformation of the AFMS.

In conclusion, the appointment of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as the new Director General Armed Forces Medical Services marks a significant milestone in the history of the AFMS. With his vast experience and expertise, he is expected to lead the AFMS towards a new era of modernisation and excellence in healthcare delivery.