Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar to Assume Command of Indian Army's Southern Command on July 1
New Delhi, June 26, 2026: The Indian Army has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM, as the upcoming General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of its Southern Command. He is set to take over the strategically crucial command, headquartered in Pune, starting July 1, 2026.
Presently, Lt Gen Pushkar leads the Ambala-based Kharga Corps, known as II Corps, which is one of the Indian Army's principal strike formations on the western front, playing a vital role in the country's offensive strategies.
This appointment represents a significant advancement in Lt Gen Pushkar's distinguished military career, transitioning from commanding a strike corps to leading a full Army command. As the Southern Army Commander, he will be responsible for a broad and strategically varied area.
The Southern Command, one of the Indian Army's oldest and most expansive commands, is based in Pune and oversees military readiness across western, central, and southern India, including peninsular and coastal regions.
This command includes the Konark Corps based in Jodhpur and the Sudarshan Chakra Corps in Bhopal, alongside various area headquarters, training centers, logistics units, and administrative bodies, tasked with roles from conventional deterrence to disaster relief and coordination with civil authorities.
Lt Gen Pushkar, a senior officer in the Armoured Corps, has over 35 years of experience in a diverse range of operational, command, instructional, and staff roles. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and has completed higher military education at both the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
In his career, Lt Gen Pushkar has commanded an armoured regiment in an operational zone, an independent armoured brigade, and an infantry division in the western sector, gaining extensive experience in mechanised warfare and large-scale troop management.
Before leading the Kharga Corps from July 1, 2024, Lt Gen Pushkar served as the Director General of the Territorial Army at the Ministry of Defence's Integrated Headquarters, managing a key component that supports the regular Army during emergencies.
His international roles include serving with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and acting as the Defence and Military Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, with additional responsibilities for Armenia and Belarus, providing him with substantial experience in military diplomacy and international defense collaborations.
Lt Gen Pushkar is affiliated with the 74 Armoured Regiment as the Colonel of the Regiment and has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary service to the Indian Army.
Leading the Kharga Corps, Lt Gen Pushkar has emphasized combat readiness and technological integration through incorporating drones, precision systems, and secure communication networks into operational strategies.
He has consistently highlighted the need for future military leaders to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare, focusing on technology-intense operations, adaptability, and rapid decision-making.
Following Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Pushkar commended the professionalism and agility of his formations, marking his tenure with intensive exercises and strengthening coordination between traditional and new-generation military capabilities.
His new role at Southern Command aligns with the Indian Army's broader goals of enhancing joint operations, theater-level integration, and technology-enabled capabilities, particularly considering the command's proximity to critical naval and air facilities.
Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament and Lt Gen Pushkar's brother-in-law, expressed pride in his appointment, acknowledging his military brilliance and professional dedication.
Lt Gen Pushkar will replace Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, who took command of the Southern Command on April 1, 2026. The transition is scheduled for July 1 at the Pune headquarters.
With his extensive expertise in strike operations, mechanised warfare, military diplomacy, and strategic planning, Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar is expected to steer Southern Command through a period of significant transformation within the Indian Armed Forces.
