Lt Gen Sandeep Jain to Become Vice Chief of Army Staff in July 2026

Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, is scheduled to take on the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) starting from July 1, 2026. This appointment follows his current position as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command.

Lt Gen Jain, an officer of the 13 Mahar Regiment, assumed the position of GOC-in-C, Southern Command on April 1, 2026. He took over from Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, who was promoted to the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Commissioned into the Indian Army on June 11, 1988, Lt Gen Jain is a graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, and the National Defence College in Kenya.

Throughout a distinguished military career exceeding 38 years, he has held numerous significant command and staff roles. These include leading the XVI Corps (White Knight Corps) in Jammu and Kashmir, commanding the Indian Military Academy, and overseeing the Southern Command. Before becoming Army Commander, he was Chief of Staff of the Southern Command.

His operational background features roles such as Sector Commander with the United Nations Mission in Sudan, leading an infantry brigade within a Strike Corps, heading a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, and holding prominent offices in the Military Operations Directorate, Military Secretary's Branch, and as Director General (Capability Development) at Army Headquarters. Additionally, he served as a Military Observer in Ethiopia.

Since August 1, 2024, Lt Gen Jain has been the Colonel of the Mahar Regiment, maintaining a strong connection with one of the most distinguished infantry units in the Indian Army.

In recognition of his exemplary service, he has been honored with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM), along with several other operational, service, and long-service awards.

As Lt Gen Sandeep Jain prepares to take on the responsibilities of Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he carries with him a wealth of operational, instructional, and strategic leadership expertise, underscoring the Indian Army's commitment to experienced leadership at its senior-most levels.