NE DEFENCE BUREAU
CHENNAI, JULY 1
One of the Indian Army’s most accomplished Armoured Corps officers, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar AVSM, VSM, on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command, bringing with him nearly four decades of operational excellence, strategic leadership and international military experience.
- Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar AVSM, VSM takes over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command.
- Veteran Armoured Corps officer played a key leadership role as General Officer Commanding 2 Corps during Operation SINDOOR.
- Decorated commander brings nearly four decades of operational, strategic and international military experience to one of the Army’s premier commands.
- New Army Commander pledges enhanced jointness, indigenous capability development and rapid adoption of emerging defence technologies.
He succeeds Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, who has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988. Over an illustrious military career, he has commanded some of the Army’s most critical operational formations, earning a reputation as a decisive battlefield commander and strategic planner.
Among his notable assignments, the General Officer provided crucial leadership as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Corps during Operation SINDOOR, demonstrating strategic foresight in one of the Army’s significant operational deployments.
His command experience spans an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division, and a premier Strike Corps in the western theatre, reflecting his expertise across both mechanised and conventional warfare.
Lt Gen Pushkar has also held several key appointments at Army Headquarters and operational formations, including Colonel Military Secretary, Colonel General Staff, Brigadier Quartermaster General, Brigadier General Staff, Additional Director General, Armoured Corps, and Director General Territorial Army. Earlier in his career, he served as an instructor at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, mentoring future military leaders.
His distinguished career also includes two prestigious overseas assignments—serving with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and as Defence and Military Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with concurrent accreditation to Armenia and Belarus.
Academically accomplished, the General is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, and the National Defence College. His academic credentials include master’s degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies and Management Studies, besides an M.Phil. in Defence and International Relations.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Lt Gen Pushkar has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), the Chief of Army Staff Commendation, and three Army Commander’s Commendations.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of #SouthernCommand today.
In a solemn ceremony, the Army Commander paid tribute to the #Bravehearts at the Southern Command War Memorial in Pune Military Station and… pic.twitter.com/Qq3PRlkxR7
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 1, 2026
Soon after assuming command, the Army Commander paid homage to the nation’s fallen soldiers at the Southern Command War Memorial before receiving a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Southern Command Headquarters.
Setting out his vision for the command, Lt Gen Pushkar reaffirmed Southern Command’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of operational preparedness while accelerating joint military operations, indigenous capability development, and the integration of emerging technologies into future warfighting.
He expressed confidence that officers and soldiers under his command would continue to uphold the Indian Army’s proud traditions while delivering the highest standards of operational excellence in safeguarding the nation’s interests.
