Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh has been designated as the new Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), set to succeed Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, who has held the position since July 1 of the previous year. Lt Gen Singh is slated to officially assume his new role on August 1, 2025.
An esteemed graduate of the Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Singh was commissioned into the distinguished 4 Para (Special Forces) in December 1987. His military career extends over 35 years, during which he has participated in several pivotal operations. Notable missions include Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Meghdoot in Siachen, Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir, and Operation Orchid in the Northeast, showcasing his extensive operational experience and leadership in challenging environments.
In addition to his domestic assignments, Lt Gen Singh possesses considerable international military experience, having served in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon and Sri Lanka. His recent appointment as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps in April 2022 further underscores his strategic significance within the Indian Army. This formation, established in 2005 and headquartered in Yol cantonment, Himachal Pradesh, plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s western borders and enhancing the army’s operational readiness in the northern sector.
Lt Gen Singh’s appointment is part of a broader reshuffle within India’s military leadership. In related developments, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the current Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, has transitioned to become the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan is anticipated to take over as the next Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on the same date, August 1, contributing to the ongoing evolution of military leadership in the nation.
