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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2026}}

{{Infobox military person
| name = Rajiv Kumar Sahni
| image = Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Sahni.jpg
| caption = Sahni in 2025
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears = 1988–present
| rank = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| unit = [[Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]]
| commands = Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers
| awards = [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
}}

'''Rajiv Kumar Sahni''', [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]], is a [[lieutenant general]] of the [[Indian Army]] serving as Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME) and Colonel Commandant of the [[Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]]. He assumed the appointment on 1 October 2025.<ref name="ADGPI">{{cite web
|title=Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni assumes appointment of Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and Colonel Commandant, Corps of EME
|url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1973306564615278648
|website=X
|publisher=Additional Directorate General of Public Information, Indian Army
|date=1 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref><ref name="SSBAppointment">{{cite news
|title=Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Sahni Takes Command as Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers
|url=https://ssbcrackexams.com/lieutenant-general-rajiv-kumar-sahni-takes-command-as-director-general-of-electronics-and-mechanical-engineers/
|work=SSBCrackExams
|date=1 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

Before becoming DG EME, Sahni served as Director General Information Systems (DGIS) of the Indian Army. He held that appointment during [[Operation Sindoor]] in 2025 and subsequently spoke publicly about the Army's use of artificial intelligence, data-fusion applications and predictive systems during the operation.<ref name="HinduSindoor">{{cite news
|last=Trivedi
|first=Saurabh
|title=Operation Sindoor demonstrated Indian Army's AI-driven capabilities, says Lt. General Rajiv Sahni
|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-sindoor-demonstrated-indian-armys-ai-driven-capabilities-says-lt-general-rajiv-sahni/article70132060.ece
|work=The Hindu
|date=6 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref><ref name="StatesmanAI">{{cite news
|author=Statesman News Service
|title=Indian Army maps six key lines of effort to drive AI integration and operational readiness
|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/indian-army-maps-six-key-lines-of-effort-to-drive-ai-integration-and-operational-readiness-1503495789.html
|work=The Statesman
|date=6 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref><ref name="MoneycontrolAI">{{cite news
|author=PTI
|title=Indian Army rolling out AI applications to boost combat capabilities: Official
|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/indian-army-rolling-out-ai-applications-to-boost-combat-capabilities-official-13600080.html
|work=Moneycontrol
|date=6 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

==Early life and education==

Sahni is an alumnus of the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and was commissioned into the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers in December 1988.<ref name="GeoIntel">{{cite web
|title=Lt Gen Rajiv Sahni AVSM, VSM
|url=https://geospatialworld.net/geointelligence/2025/plenary.php
|website=Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Forum 2025
|publisher=Geospatial World
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

His professional biography states that he completed the Higher Defence Management Course and the Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration. It also states that he holds M.Phil qualifications in management from [[Osmania University]] and [[Panjab University]], and a PhD in defence acquisitions.<ref name="GeoIntel"/>

==Military career==

Sahni was commissioned into the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers in December 1988.<ref name="GeoIntel"/> During his career he has held command, instructional and staff appointments. His published professional biography lists service commanding an EME workshop in Jammu and Kashmir, an EME battalion and an EME training centre, as well as an appointment as Brigadier EME of a corps in the eastern theatre.<ref name="GeoIntel"/>

He has also served as directing staff and head of faculty at the [[College of Defence Management]], as a director in the Master General of Ordnance Branch, and in the Directorate General of Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement.<ref name="GeoIntel"/>

Sahni assumed the appointment of Director General Information Systems on 1 September 2023.<ref name="GeoIntel"/> In that position he headed an Army directorate responsible for information systems during a period of increasing use of digitised command-and-control, surveillance and data-processing applications.

===Operation Sindoor===

Sahni served as Director General Information Systems during [[Operation Sindoor]] in May 2025.<ref name="HinduSindoor"/><ref name="ThePrint">{{cite news
|last=Philip
|first=Snehesh Alex
|title=Op Sindoor is India's first AI-enabled operation. How 'heavy use' of modern tech by Army played out
|url=https://theprint.in/defence/op-sindoor-is-indias-first-ai-enabled-operation-how-heavy-use-of-modern-tech-by-army-played-out/2758797/
|work=ThePrint
|date=7 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

In October 2025, after assuming the appointment of DG EME, Sahni described the Army's use of artificial-intelligence-enabled applications during the operation. ''The Hindu'' reported his account of AI-supported capabilities used by the Army during Operation Sindoor.<ref name="HinduSindoor"/> ''The Times of India'' reported that, according to Sahni, 23 applications with specialised tasks were employed to process data and operational inputs.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news
|last=Pandit
|first=Rajat
|title=Army used AI in a 'big way' during Operation Sindoor
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-used-ai-in-a-big-way-during-operation-sindoor/articleshow/124345398.cms
|work=The Times of India
|date=7 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

According to reports in ''The Statesman'' and Moneycontrol, applications discussed by Sahni included the Electronic Intelligence Collation and Analysis System (ECAS), Trinetra, predictive threat-modelling systems and weather-forecasting tools.<ref name="StatesmanAI"/><ref name="MoneycontrolAI"/> ECAS was used to identify and prioritise electronic threats, while Trinetra was used to generate a common operational and intelligence picture at tactical and operational levels.<ref name="StatesmanAI"/><ref name="MoneycontrolAI"/>

Sahni said predictive threat modelling was used to assist commanders in assessing the relationship between time, space and available resources, while data-fusion applications were used to combine information from multiple sensors and sources.<ref name="MoneycontrolAI"/><ref name="TOI"/>

''Business Standard'' reported that Sahni said artificial intelligence was used for multi-sensor and multi-source data fusion and that the Army was developing a military-specific [[large language model]].<ref name="BusinessStandard">{{cite news
|last=Kumar
|first=Bhaswar
|title=AI widely used in Op Sindoor, military LLM to be ready in 6 months: Army
|url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/ai-widely-used-in-op-sindoor-military-llm-to-be-ready-in-6-months-army-125100601341_1.html
|work=Business Standard
|date=6 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

WION similarly reported Sahni's statement that AI applications had been used during Operation Sindoor and that the Army was pursuing greater integration of AI into military functions.<ref name="WION">{{cite news
|title=Indian Army used AI during Operation Sindoor: Top official
|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-used-ai-during-operation-sindoor-top-official-1759769993583
|work=WION
|date=6 October 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

===Artificial intelligence initiatives===

In October 2025, Sahni outlined six areas identified by the Army for structured adoption of artificial intelligence. According to ''The Statesman'', these included alignment with national technology programmes, development of AI-related structures and infrastructure, application and data preparedness, AI-enabled weapons and legacy systems, human-resource development, and AI governance.<ref name="StatesmanAI"/>

The same report said the Army was developing an indigenous Unified AI Platform intended to integrate operational, intelligence, logistics and training applications within a secure framework.<ref name="StatesmanAI"/> Moneycontrol, reporting a Press Trust of India story, also reported Sahni's statements concerning the platform and the Army's emphasis on testing, reliability and governance of military AI systems.<ref name="MoneycontrolAI"/>

Sahni also discussed military AI at an event reported by ''The Hindu BusinessLine'' in February 2026, against the background of discussions on greater jointness in the Indian armed forces and proposals for coordination of military AI capabilities.<ref name="BusinessLineAI">{{cite news
|title=Demand for Joint Military AI Command ahead of MoD unveiling jointness of services
|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/demand-for-joint-military-ai-command-ahead-of-mod-unveiling-jointness-of-services/article70648183.ece
|work=The Hindu BusinessLine
|date=18 February 2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

At an AI Impact Summit-related seminar in February 2026, Sahni discussed applications of artificial intelligence in engineering support, predictive maintenance, unmanned platforms and the modernisation of legacy military equipment.<ref name="CSRJournal">{{cite news
|title=Indian Army Explores AI To 'Smartise Kill Chain' At AI Impact Summit 2026
|url=https://thecsrjournal.in/indian-army-explores-ai-to-smartise-kill-chain-at-ai-impact-summit-2026/
|work=The CSR Journal
|date=2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

===India International Science Festival===

At the India International Science Festival in December 2025, Sahni delivered a presentation on the technological aspects of Operation Sindoor. ''Deccan Herald'', in a Press Trust of India report, said Sahni described the operation as demonstrating India's technological self-reliance and discussed the role of indigenous systems in defence preparedness.<ref name="DeccanHerald">{{cite news
|author=PTI
|title=Operation Sindoor reflects India's growing technological self-reliance: Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni
|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/hr-op-sindoor-iisf-3823256
|work=Deccan Herald
|date=7 December 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

The [[Press Information Bureau]] also reported Sahni's presentation at the festival, including discussion of scientific planning and the use of indigenous technologies and AI-enabled analytical systems.<ref name="PIBIISF">{{cite web
|title=IISF 2025: S&T Media and Communicators Conclave focuses on science journalism, AI-enabled communication and public engagement
|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2200145
|publisher=Press Information Bureau
|date=7 December 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

===Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers===

Sahni assumed the appointment of Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of EME on 1 October 2025.<ref name="ADGPI"/><ref name="SSBAppointment"/>

In November 2025, he visited the 506 Army Base Workshop at Jabalpur, where he reviewed equipment-modernisation and technology programmes.<ref name="506Workshop">{{cite news
|title=Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni Reviews Innovation-Driven Upgrades at 506 Army Base Workshop, Jabalpur
|url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/11/lt-gen-rajiv-kumar-sahni-reviews-innovation-driven-upgrades-at-506-army-base-workshop-jabalpur.html
|work=SSBCrack
|date=2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref> The visit included examination of work on legacy artillery platforms, electric-vehicle-based repowering and indigenous manufacturing initiatives.<ref name="506Workshop"/>

In December 2025, Sahni visited facilities associated with the Vajra Corps and reviewed mass-drone and fixed-wing fabrication facilities.<ref name="Vajra">{{cite news
|last=Jasrotia
|first=Adhidev
|title=DG EME Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni Reviews Drone Fabrication Facilities, Lauds Innovation at Vajra Corps
|url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/12/dg-eme-lt-gen-rajiv-kumar-sahni-reviews-drone-fabrication-facilities-lauds-innovation-at-vajra-corps.html
|work=SSBCrack
|date=12 December 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

In January 2026, he visited the EME School at Vadodara and reviewed training and indigenous-technology initiatives.<ref name="EMESchool">{{cite news
|title=Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni Visits EME School Vadodara, Reviews Advanced Training and Indigenous Technology Initiatives
|url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2026/01/lt-gen-rajiv-kumar-sahni-visits-eme-school-vadodara-reviews-advanced-training-and-indigenous-technology-initiatives.html
|work=SSBCrack
|date=2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

In March 2026, ''The Times of India'' reported on Sahni's review of technological innovation and operational preparedness during a visit to Army formations in Rajasthan.<ref name="TOIRajasthan">{{cite news
|title=Indian Army DG EME reviews tech innovations, operational readiness in Rajasthan's desert
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/indian-army-dg-eme-reviews-tech-innovations-operational-readiness-in-rajasthans-desert/articleshow/129327625.cms
|work=The Times of India
|date=9 March 2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

===Additive manufacturing===

In March 2026, Sahni participated in the National Additive Manufacturing Symposium, where the Indian Army highlighted potential military applications of [[additive manufacturing]].<ref name="ANIAM">{{cite news
|title=Indian Army participates in National Additive Manufacturing Symposium 2026
|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/indian-army-participates-in-national-additive-manufacturing-symposium-202620260314050855/
|work=Asian News International
|date=14 March 2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref><ref name="MetalAM">{{cite news
|title=Indian Army highlights AM role at National Symposium
|url=https://www.metal-am.com/indian-army-highlights-am-role-at-national-symposium/
|work=Metal Additive Manufacturing
|date=2026
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

The symposium considered the use of additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, maintenance, military logistics and the sustainment or modernisation of equipment.<ref name="MetalAM"/>

==Awards and decorations==

Sahni was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2025.<ref name="PIBAVSM">{{cite web
|title=President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025
|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2096200&reg=48&lang=2
|publisher=Press Information Bureau
|date=25 January 2025
|access-date=7 August 2026
}}</ref>

He has also received the [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]. His professional biography records six commendations from senior military authorities during his career.<ref name="GeoIntel"/>

==See also==
* [[Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]]
* [[Indian Army]]
* [[Operation Sindoor]]
* [[List of serving generals of the Indian Army]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sahni, Rajiv Kumar}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]

Rajiv Kumar Sahni - Revision history