Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar Assumes Command of Southern Command, Reaffirms Operational Readiness

Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar has taken over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, bringing over four decades of military experience and pledging enhanced operational readiness, technological integration and joint military capabilities.

02 July, 2026 | Pune

Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM, has officially assumed command as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, who has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The change in leadership marks a significant transition for one of the Indian Army’s key operational commands.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lieutenant General Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988. During his distinguished military career spanning more than four decades, he has held several command, staff and instructional appointments across a wide range of operational and strategic environments.

His leadership roles have included commanding an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division and a premier Strike Corps in the Western Sector.

The senior Army officer has also served in several important staff positions, including Colonel Military Secretary, Colonel General Staff, Brigadier Quartermaster General, Brigadier General Staff, Additional Director General of the Armoured Corps and Director General of the Territorial Army.

He has also contributed as an instructor at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla. His international assignments include serving with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and as Defence and Military Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with accreditation to Armenia and Belarus.

Lieutenant General Pushkar holds postgraduate qualifications in Defence and Strategic Studies, Management Studies and Defence and International Relations. He has been honoured with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation and three Army Commander’s Commendations for his distinguished service.

After assuming command, he paid tribute at the Southern Command War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour at the Southern Command Headquarters in Pune.

Addressing personnel, he reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational preparedness while emphasising greater jointness, indigenous capability development and the rapid integration of emerging technologies. He also expressed confidence that all ranks would continue to uphold the Indian Army’s traditions of professionalism and operational excellence.

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