Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Appointed as Next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services

The Government of India has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM & Bar, as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). He will take charge from the afternoon of 31 August 2026, succeeding Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who is retiring from the post.

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja: Education and Career

An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, he was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1986. He completed an MD in Medicine in 1997 and a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi, in 2005, winning the Best DM Student Award. He holds an 'A' grading in all professional military courses and is an alumnus of the National Defence College.

Key Appointments of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja

1. He has held senior posts including Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the DGAFMS office, Commandant of Military Hospital Pathankot, Commandant of Command Hospital Lucknow, Director and Commandant of AFMC Pune, and most recently Director General Medical Services (Air).
2.  In this last role, he strengthened medical preparedness for India's Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission and supported deployment of the BHISHM Cube for faster medical response during military and humanitarian operations.
3. He has mentored numerous postgraduate and super-speciality students and published over 50 research papers in national and international medical journals.

DGAFMS in defence administration

The DGAFMS post is linked with medical administration, training and healthcare delivery in the armed forces. The appointment is relevant for defence medicine, military hospitals and emergency medical planning in India.

Awards and Recognition of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja

Air Marshal Thareja has been awarded the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal twice (VSM & Bar) for his distinguished service.