Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, a highly decorated and battle-hardened officer with over 35 years of distinguished military service, take over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on August 1, 2025. He succeed Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, who retires after an illustrious career.
An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh was commissioned into the elite 4 Para (Special Forces) in 1987. His military journey has been marked by bravery, leadership, and strategic acumen across a wide range of operations both in India and abroad.
During his long and accomplished service, Lt Gen Singh has played critical roles in several major operations, including Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Meghdoot in the Siachen Glacier, Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir, and Operation Orchid in the northeastern region. His deep experience in counterinsurgency, high-altitude warfare, and special operations has made him a respected figure within the Indian Army.
In addition to his extensive operational experience in India, Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh has also contributed to international peacekeeping efforts. He has served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon and Sri Lanka, where he earned acclaim for his professionalism and leadership in complex, multinational environments.
Throughout his service, he has held various key appointments at the field, operational, and strategic levels, including brigade and corps-level commands, staff roles at Army Headquarters, and instructional tenures. His career reflects a balance of combat command, strategic planning, and personnel management — qualities essential for his upcoming role as the second-highest-ranking officer in the Indian Army.
Lt Gen Singh is also known for his commitment to modernization, training, and welfare initiatives within the Army. As Vice Chief, he is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing operational readiness, driving indigenization, and supporting transformative reforms within the force.
With this transition, the Indian Army enters a new chapter under seasoned leadership, as Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh brings his vast experience and dynamic vision to the forefront of national defence and strategic planning.
