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{{Short description|Indian military appointment}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Commander-in-Chief, <br/> Strategic Forces Command
| body =
| native_name =
| insignia =
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| flag =
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| image = File:Lt_Gen_Dinesh_Singh_Rana.jpg
| imagesize = 170
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| incumbent = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dinesh Singh Rana]]<br/>{{postnominals|country=IND|size=90%|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|SM}}
| acting =
| incumbentsince = 1 October 2025
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| member_of =
| reports_to = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (India)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
| residence =
| seat = [[New Delhi]]
| nominator =
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| appointer_qualified =
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| constituting_instrument =
| precursor =
| formation = 2003
| first = [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Tej Mohan Asthana <br/>{{small|[[PVSM]] [[AVSM]] [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]]}}
| last =
| abolished =
| succession =
| unofficial_names =
| deputy =
| salary =
| website =
}}
The '''Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command''' is the head of the [[Strategic Forces Command]], the [[Indian Armed Forces Tri-Service Commands|integrated tri-service command]] responsible for the management and administration of India's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

The current Commander-in-Chief is [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dinesh Singh Rana]] who took command on 1 October 2025 as the 14th CinC, SFC.

==History==
The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) was created on 4 January 2003 by the Government of India under [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]. Part of the [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]], the SFC manages and administers all strategic forces by exercising complete command and control over nuclear assets.<ref name="Nuke command set up, button in PM's hand">{{cite news|title=Nuke command set up, button in PM's hand|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nuke-command-set-up-button-in-PMs-hand/articleshow/33382162.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511013323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-04/india/27281139_1_nuclear-command-and-control-nuclear-arsenal-nuclear-retaliation|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 January 2003}}</ref>

The [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] approved the appointment of a Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command, to manage and administer all Strategic Forces.<ref>{{cite web |title=CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY REVIEWS PROGRESS IN OPERATIONALIZING INDIA'S NUCLEAR DOCTRINE |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/releases98/lyr2003/rjan2003/04012003/r040120033.html |website=archive.pib.gov.in |access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref> [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Teja Mohan Asthana was appointed the first commander-in-chief on 10 January 2013.<ref name="Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command">{{cite news|title=Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Marshal-Asthana-to-head-Strategic-Forces-Command/articleshow/33995158.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511030611/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-10/india/27285210_1_nuclear-command-and-control-strategic-forces-command-sfc|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 January 2003}}</ref><ref name=zn28j13>{{cite news|title=Indian Army wants sole right over post of Strategic Forces Commander|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-army-wants-sole-right-over-post-of-strategic-forces-commander_865310.html|access-date=30 July 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=29 July 2013}}</ref>

==Organisation==
The CinC SFC is a [[Three-star rank]] officer from the three Services in rotation. The CinC reports directly to the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)]] (CDS). He is assisted by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the command, also a [[three-star rank#Indian three-star ranks|three-star officer]].

==List of commanders==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+List of Commanders-in-Chief of Strategic Forces Command
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 650px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Branch
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 600px;" | Notes
|-
| 1
| [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Tej Mohan Asthana {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}}}
| rowspan="3"| {{air force|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2003|01|10}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|06|30}}
|First C-in-C.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Marshal-Asthana-to-head-Strategic-Forces-Command/articleshow/33995158.cms | title=Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command | date=10 January 2003 | newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=8 November 2019 }}</ref>
|-
| 2
| [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Ajit Bhavnani {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|07|12}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|08|18}}
| Later served as [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/archive/|title=Archive News|website=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/18bhavnani.htm|title=Bhavnani is new Vice Chief of Air Staff|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>
|-
| 3
| [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Avinash Deodata Joshi {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VM}}}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|08|22}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2006|12|31}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/air-marshal-avinash-deodatta-joshi-takes-over-as-c-in-c-sfc/317810|title=Air Marshal Avinash Deodatta Joshi takes over as C-in-C SFC|website=www.outlookindia.com/}}</ref>
|-
| 4
| [[Vice Admiral]] [[Vijay Shankar (admiral)|Vijay Shankar]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
| {{navy|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2006|12}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2008|09|30}}
| Later served as [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/08/25/vice-admiral-vijay-shankar-c-in-c-andaman-nicobar-1219673160.html|title=Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar to take over as C-in-C of Andaman and Nicobar|work=OneIndia|access-date=2017-12-27|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227123226/https://www.oneindia.com/2008/08/25/vice-admiral-vijay-shankar-c-in-c-andaman-nicobar-1219673160.html|archive-date=2017-12-27}}</ref>
|-
| 5
| [[Lieutenant General]] Balraj Singh Nagal {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM}}}}
| {{army|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2008|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|12}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.claws.in/faculty-detail.php?fID=339|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170816222716/http://www.claws.in/faculty-detail.php?fID=339|archive-date = 16 August 2017|title = LT GEN BALRAJ SINGH NAGAL, PVSM,AVSM,SM - Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lt Gen Nagal is new Strategic Forces commander|newspaper=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lt-gen-nagal-is-new-strategic-forces-commander/articleshow/3546079.cms|date=2008-09-30|access-date=2018-12-01}}</ref>
|-
| 6
| [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] K. J. Mathews {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|YSM}}}}
| {{air force|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|01|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|10|31}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/iaf-commander-to-head-strategic-forces-command/20101226.htm|title=IAF commander to head Strategic Forces Command|website=Rediff}}</ref>
|-
| 7
| [[Vice Admiral]] [[Surinder Pal Singh Cheema|S. P. S. Cheema]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|NM}}}}
| {{navy|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|11|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|06}}
| Later served as [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]] and as [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/vice-admiral-s-p-s-cheema-the-present-chief-of-integrated-defence-staff-will-take-over-the-unified-strategic-forces-command-on-november-1-/articleshow/16866018.cms|title=Vice Admiral S P S Cheema, the present chief of integrated defence staff, will take over the unified Strategic Forces Command on November 1. - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=18 October 2012 }}</ref>
|-
| 8
| [[Lieutenant General]] Amit Sharma {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
| {{army|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|06|13}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|07|31}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=105626|title=Lt Gen Amit Sharma, VSM Appointed Commander – in – Chief Strategic Force Command |date=2014-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/govt-sits-on-army-posts/cid/1516997|title=Govt sits on army posts|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>
|-
| 9
|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Jasbir Walia]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VM|VSM}}}}
| rowspan="3"|{{air force|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|08|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|03|30}}
|
|-
| 10
|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Navkaranjit Singh Dhillon]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|03|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|01|31}}
|
|-
| 11
|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Rajesh Kumar (air marshal)|Rajesh Kumar]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|01|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|08|31}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-marshal-rajesh-kumar-to-take-over-as-new-chief-of-strategic-forces-command-1764373-2021-01-31|title=Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar to take over as new chief of Strategic Forces Command|date=31 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bharatshakti.in/air-force-change-of-guard-at-critical-posts/|title=Rapid Turnover in IAF Brass|publisher=Bharat Shakti|date=2021-05-29}}</ref>
|-
| 12
| [[Vice Admiral]] [[R. B. Pandit]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
| rowspan="2"|{{navy|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|08|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2023|09|30}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/prasadpanseMT/status/1433351019845410818|title=RB Pandit takes over SFC}}</ref>
|-
|13
|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Suraj Berry]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|NM|VSM}}}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2023|10|06}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2025|09|30}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/CaptDKS/status/1710241838534434946|title=Suraj Berry takes over SFC}}</ref>
|-
|14
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] [[Dinesh Singh Rana]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|SM}}}}
| {{army|India}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2025|10|01}}
| ''Incumbent''
|
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|colspan=2|'''List of CinC by branches of service'''
|-
! Branch
! Count
|-
| {{Army|India}}
|3
|-
|{{Navy|India}}
|4
|-
|{{Air Force|India}}
|7
|}

==See also==
* [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]]
* [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Military of India}}

[[Category:Indian Army]]
[[Category:Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force]]
[[Category:Indian military appointments]]

Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command - Revision history

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