Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM, has now taken charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command of the Indian Army. He assumed this top post on 1 July 2026. He took over from Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, who has now become the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The Ministry of Defence made this announcement officially.
The Southern Command is one of the important parts of the Indian Army. It looks after a wide and serious area of work. After taking charge, Lt Gen Pushkar paid respect to the brave soldiers at the Southern Command War Memorial. He also received a Guard of Honour at Headquarters Southern Command.
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His Army Life and Long Service
Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He joined the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988. That means he has spent more than four decades in the Army and has built a very long military career. During this time, he has worked in many command, staff, and teaching roles in different places and in different kinds of army jobs.
He has led an Armoured Regiment in an operational area. He has also commanded an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division, and a premier Strike Corps in the Western Sector. In staff jobs, he has served as Colonel Military Secretary in a Strike Corps, Colonel General Staff of an Armoured Division in the Western Sector, Brigadier Quartermaster General of a Strike Corps, Brigadier General Staff of an Operational Command, Additional Director General of the Armoured Corps, and Director General Territorial Army. He has also worked as an Instructor at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla.
Work Outside India
Lt Gen Pushkar has also served outside India. He worked with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan. Later, he was posted as the Defence and Military Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow. That role also covered Armenia and Belarus.
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Education
His education is also very strong. He studied at the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, and National Defence College. He also has master’s degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies, Management Studies, and Philosophy in Defence and International Relations.
The Message after Taking Charge
After taking over the command, Lt Gen Pushkar spoke about the need to keep the Army ready at all times. He said the force must stay fully prepared and must also work with more joint effort, stronger local capability, and quick use of new technology. The official release said he reaffirmed the Southern Command’s commitment to sustaining “highest levels of operational readiness” and also stressed greater teamwork and modern technology in military work.
His military honours include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Vishisht Seva Medal, the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation, and three Army Commander’s Commendations.
