Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain Takes Over as Vice Chief of the Army Staff
Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, has taken up the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) effective from July 1, 2026. This follows his previous position as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command.
Lt Gen Jain, from the 13 Mahar Regiment, began his tenure as GOC-in-C of the Southern Command on April 1, 2026, after General Dhiraj Seth was promoted to the position of Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
He was commissioned into the Indian Army on June 11, 1988, after graduating from the Indian Military Academy (IMA). His educational background includes the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, and the National Defence College in Kenya.
Throughout his career, spanning over 38 years, Lt Gen Jain has held numerous significant command and staff roles. His leadership positions have included commanding the XVI Corps (White Knight Corps) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Military Academy, and the Southern Command. Before his appointment as Army Commander, he was the Chief of Staff for the Southern Command.
His operational roles have varied widely, including being a Sector Commander with the United Nations Mission in Sudan, leading an infantry brigade within a Strike Corps, commanding a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, and holding key positions in the Military Operations Directorate and Military Secretary's Branch. He was also the Director General (Capability Development) at Army Headquarters and served as a Military Observer in Ethiopia.
Lt Gen Jain has been the Colonel of the Mahar Regiment since August 1, 2024, maintaining a strong connection with this highly decorated infantry regiment of the Indian Army.
Throughout his service, he has been recognized for his exemplary service with awards such as the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM), along with numerous operational, service, and long-service honors.
In his new role as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Sandeep Jain brings a wealth of operational, instructional, and strategic leadership experience to one of the highest positions in the Indian Army, underpinning the army's dedication to operational excellence, capability development, and future preparedness.
