Sandeep Jain takes over as Vice Chief of Army Staff

NEW DELHI, July 1, 2026 :- Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has officially assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Jain was commissioned into the MAHAR Regiment in June 1988.

Over a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades, he has commanded an infantry battalion in semi-desert terrain, an infantry brigade in a strike corps, a counter-insurgency force, and a pivot corps within the Northern Command.

His extensive operational experience includes participation in Operation Pawan and serving as a military observer and sector commander with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Jain has also completed multiple tenures in high-altitude areas and counter-insurgency operations along the Line of Control and in the North East.

Upon his promotion to Lieutenant General, he commanded a corps in Northern Command and later served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Southern Command, where he focused on capability development, force restructuring, and operational readiness.

Prior to his current appointment, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command.Jain has held numerous key staff and operational appointments across various formations, giving him deep expertise in conventional operations, counter-insurgency, and force preparedness across diverse terrains.

He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course at the Army War College and the National Defence Course in Kenya. For his distinguished service, he has been honored with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Sena Medal.