Smt Shobha Gupta, a distinguished officer of the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) from the 1990 batch, has taken over as the Director General of Defence Estates (DGDE) as of September 30, 2025. She brings extensive experience to the role, having served in critical positions such as Chief Executive Officer of various Cantonment Boards and Principal Director for Defence Estates in multiple commands. The DGDE is crucial for managing approximately 1.8 million acres of defense land across India, coordinating operations across six commands, 38 Defence Estates Circles, and 61 Cantonment Boards. Gupta’s appointment underscores the importance of effective land management and civic administration in supporting the operational readiness and infrastructure of the Indian Armed Forces, reinforcing a vital aspect of national defense strategy.