Pune: Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar AVSM, VSM officially assumed command as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command on July 1, 2026, succeeding 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, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988.
Over a distinguished military career spanning more than four decades, he has held a wide range of command, staff and instructional appointments across diverse geographical and operational environments.
Most recently, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar demonstrated decisive leadership and strategic foresight while serving as the General Officer Commanding of 2 Corps during Operation SINDOOR.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar has commanded an Armoured Regiment in an operational area, a strategic Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division and a premier Strike Corps in the Western Sector.
His extensive command experience reflects his leadership across some of the Indian Army’s most critical operational formations.
His significant staff appointments include serving 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 of the Territorial Army.
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Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar has also contributed to military education as an Instructor at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
The Army Commander has also represented India internationally on two important assignments. He served with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and later as Defence and Military Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with accreditation to Armenia and Belarus.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and a postgraduate of the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management and the prestigious National Defence College of India.
In addition to his military qualifications, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar has pursued extensive academic studies. His civil educational credentials include a Master’s in Defence and Strategic Studies, a Master’s in Management Studies and a Master of Philosophy in Defence and International Relations.
For his distinguished service to the nation, Lieutenant General Rajesh 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.
After assuming command, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar paid tribute to the Bravehearts at the Southern Command War Memorial before receiving a Guard of Honour at the Headquarters Southern Command.
Reaffirming the Southern Command‘s commitment to national security, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar emphasized maintaining the highest levels of operational readiness across its diverse areas of responsibility.
He also highlighted the importance of greater synergy through enhanced jointness, indigenous capability development and the rapid integration of emerging technologies.
Expressing confidence in the personnel under his command, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar said all ranks would continue to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army while maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence in service of the nation.
