New Delhi
The Ministry of Defence has announced the appointment of Major General Rachel Thomas as the new Additional Director General of the Military Nursing Service (MNS), effective today. A highly experienced nursing leader with nearly four decades of exemplary service, Maj Gen Thomas takes over from Maj Gen Lissamma PV, who superannuated on May 31, 2026 after completing 40 years of dedicated service to the nation.
An alumna of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Maj Gen Rachel Thomas was commissioned into the Military Nursing Service on June 1, 1988, exactly 38 years before assuming her current high-responsibility appointment. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held critical clinical and administrative positions across various Armed Forces Medical Services establishments, earning a reputation for professionalism, leadership, and commitment to soldier care.
Her extensive experience spans operational nursing support in field formations, hospital administration, and policy-level contributions to military healthcare. Defence sources describe her as a trailblazer whose leadership will further strengthen the MNS, which plays a vital role in providing comprehensive medical care to serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
Maj Gen Lissamma PV, her predecessor, retired with high honours after four decades of meritorious service. During her tenure, the Military Nursing Service continued to evolve with modernised training protocols and enhanced integration with tri-service medical infrastructure.
The appointment comes at a time when the Indian Armed Forces are intensifying focus on human resource development and welfare, particularly in medical services. With growing emphasis on combat readiness and force modernisation, a robust and professionally managed nursing cadre remains crucial for maintaining the health and operational efficiency of India’s 1.4 million-strong military.
Military observers view Maj Gen Thomas’ elevation as a continuation of the tradition of excellence within the MNS, which traces its origins to 1888 and continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Armed Forces Medical Services. Her leadership is expected to drive further improvements in nursing standards, training, and integration with emerging medical technologies.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.