In a significant leadership reshuffle, new commanders have taken over key operational formations of the Indian Army, with changes across the Western, Eastern and Southern Commands, along with a new Vice Chief.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth has been appointed Vice Chief of the Army Staff, while Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh has taken over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Western Command, Lieutenant General V.M.B. Krishnan assumed charge of Eastern Command, and Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain took over the Southern Command.
New vice chief of the Army staff
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, assumed the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS).
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over nearly four decades, Lt Gen Seth has built a strong operational profile across diverse terrains and conflict environments, including counter-insurgency operations.
He has commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in a developed sector, and a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir. Upon promotion to Lieutenant General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw major national and international engagements. As an Army Commander, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Command and Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of leading two operational commands along the western front.
Lt Gen Seth has held key staff and strategic appointments, including Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir, Operations Officer with the United Nations Mission in Angola, Assistant Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Headquarters South Western Command, and Director General Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare.
A key contributor to capability development and modernisation, he has held important roles in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development Directorates, including Colonel Capability Development for Mechanised Forces, Brigadier Perspective Plans and Acquisition, and Additional Director General Capability Development, contributing to the Indian Army’s long-term modernisation roadmap.
New chief for Western Command
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, who earlier served as VCOAS, has taken over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command. He succeeds Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, who superannuated on March 31.
An officer of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Lt Gen Singh was commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in December 1987. He is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and Lucknow University.
With nearly four decades of service, he has held a wide range of command and staff appointments. He has led formations in high-altitude and sensitive sectors along both the northern and western borders, and has participated in Operation Pawan as well as multiple counter-insurgency deployments along the Line of Control and the International Boundary.
Before becoming VCOAS, he served as Director General Operational Logistics (DGOL) at Army Headquarters, where he played a major role in strengthening mobility, logistics integration and sustainment. As VCOAS, he contributed significantly to force structuring, capability development and overall operational preparedness, the defence ministry stated in a release.
He has attended the Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, and the Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration at the Indian Institute of Public Administration. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Panjab University and has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and two Sena Medals for his distinguished service and gallantry.
New Eastern Command head
Lieutenant General V.M.B Krishnan has taken over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General RC Tiwari.
Commissioned into the Indian Army on June 11, 1988, Lt Gen Krishnan brings nearly four decades of extensive military experience to this key operational theatre. His career includes a wide range of command, staff and instructional roles across some of the country’s most demanding environments.
An alumnus of premier military institutions, he has commanded both an Infantry Battalion and an Infantry Brigade in the high-altitude terrain of Siachen. He has also served as General Officer Commanding of an Infantry Division and later led the elite Brahmastra Corps.
In strategic roles, he has served as Director General Information Technology at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and as Defence Attaché at the High Commission of India in London. Before taking over Eastern Command, he was the Quarter Master General at Army Headquarters, where he drove key reforms in supply chain management and infrastructure, enhancing operational sustainment and combat readiness.
Lt Gen Krishnan also holds the honorary appointments of Colonel of The Dogra Regiment and the Dogra Scouts. As Commandant of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, he set high standards in specialised training and doctrine development.
Southern Command
Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has taken over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, who has assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Jain was commissioned into the Mahar Regiment in June 1988. Over a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, he has held a wide range of command and staff appointments across varied operational environments.
He has commanded an Infantry Battalion in semi-developed terrain as well as in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, an Infantry Brigade in a Strike Corps, a Counter Insurgency Force, and a Pivot Corps in Northern Command. His operational experience includes participation in Operation Pawan, service as a Military Observer with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia, and multiple tenures in high-altitude and counter-insurgency operations along the Line of Control and in the Northeast. He also serves as the Colonel of the Mahar Regiment.
Before taking over Southern Command, he served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Southern Command, where he played a key role in capability development, force restructuring, and enhancing operational preparedness.
He has attended the Higher Command Course at the Army War College and the National Defence Course in Kenya. In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Sena Medal.