Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has officially concluded his tenure as the Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and has assumed a new role as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Southern Command in Pune. This transition was celebrated with warm congratulations from Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), along with personnel from various ranks, who commended Lt Gen Jain for his exemplary leadership and significant contributions to military training.
Lt Gen Jain, a distinguished officer from the Mahar Regiment, took over as the 52nd Commandant of IMA on February 1, 2024. Over the course of his 16-month tenure, he played a crucial role in elevating the standards of leadership development and officer training at one of India’s premier military institutions, which has been shaping the nation’s military leaders since its establishment in 1932.
Commissioned into the Indian Army in June 1988, Lt Gen Jain boasts a distinguished career spanning over three decades. He has commanded a battalion in semi-developed terrain, led an infantry brigade within a strike corps, and headed a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir while serving as a Major General. His international experience is noteworthy, having served as a Sector Commander in a United Nations peacekeeping mission and as a military observer in Ethiopia. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the strategically important 16 Corps and has held key staff roles within the Military Operations Directorate and the Military Secretary’s Branch.
An alumnus of the National Defence College in Kenya, Lt Gen Jain has received multiple accolades for his service, including the Sena Medal (SM), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and the Chief of the Army Staff’s Commendation Card, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the nation.
In his new capacity at Southern Command, Lt Gen Jain joins a formation with a rich history within India’s military legacy. Headquartered in Pune and currently led by Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, the Southern Command has been integral to several significant post-independence operations, including Operation Polo in 1948, the liberation of Goa in 1961, and crucial battles during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Lt Gen Jain’s appointment as Chief of Staff is anticipated to enhance the operational preparedness and strategic planning capabilities of Southern Command. His extensive experience and strong leadership credentials are set to significantly benefit one of the Indian Army’s most vital commands.
