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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Southern Command
| unit_name = Southern Command
| image = IA Southern Command.svg
| image = File:Southern Command, Indian Army.png
| image_size = 150px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Southern Command's insignia today.
| caption = [[Insignia]] of the Southern Command
| country = {{flag|India}}
| country = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
Line 14: Line 14:
| command_structure =  
| command_structure =  
| size =  
| size =  
| current_commander = [[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]] [[Jai Singh Nain]]
| current_commander = [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dhiraj Seth]], {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=80%|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM}}
| garrison = [[Pune]]
| garrison = [[Pune]]
| anniversaries = 1 April (Raising Day)
| battles =  
| battles =  
| notable_commanders = General [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/> General [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] <br/> General [[Bipin Chandra Joshi]]<br/> General [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br/> General [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]] <br/> General [[Nirmal Chander Vij]]<br/> General [[Bipin Rawat]]
| notable_commanders = General [[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja]]<br/> General [[S. M. Shrinagesh|S M Shrinagesh]]<br/> General [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimayya]]<br/> General [[Pran Nath Thapar]]<br/> General [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/> General [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]]<br/> General [[Om Prakash Malhotra]]<br/> General [[Bipin Chandra Joshi]]<br/> General [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br/> General [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]]<br/> General [[Nirmal Chander Vij]]<br/> General [[Bipin Rawat]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:Flag of the Southern Command (India).jpg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
}}
}}
'''Southern Command''' is a [[formation (military)|formation]] of the [[Indian Army]], active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several [[Princely States]] into modern India, during the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|1961 Indian liberation of Goa]], and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Lieutenant General [[Jai Singh Nain]] is the current Southern Army Commander.<ref name=nain/>
'''Southern Command''' is a [[formation (military)|formation]] of the [[Indian Army]], active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several [[Princely States]] into modern India, during the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|1961 Indian liberation of Goa]], and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars.  
 
[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dhiraj Seth]] is the present Southern Army Commander.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes command of Southern Army |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-dhiraj-seth-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-army-9426241/ |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 28: Line 33:


===Second World War===
===Second World War===
During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Army|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sup}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army (equivalent to a [[corps]]) in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Army|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070706171348/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sup|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 July 2007}}</ref>


Component divisions included:<ref name=sas1>{{cite web|title=Southern Army Subordinates|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sub}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Component divisions included:<ref name=sas1>{{cite web|title=Southern Army Subordinates|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sub|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104100946/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sub|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[19th Indian Infantry Division]], April 1942 to July 1944
*[[19th Indian Infantry Division]], April 1942 to July 1944
*[[2nd British Infantry Division]], June 1942 to April 1943, and then June 1945 to August 1945
*[[2nd British Infantry Division]], June 1942 to April 1943, and then June 1945 to August 1945
Line 47: Line 52:
In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting [[Junagadh]] and [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] to sign the instrument of accession to India.<ref name="IA"/> [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|Indian annexation of Goa]] was conducted by [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Infantry Division]] and [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]], under the operational control of Southern Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillarisetti |first=Jagan |title=The Liberation of Goa: 1961 |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005110857/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |archive-date=5 October 2003 |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |df=dmy}}</ref>
In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting [[Junagadh]] and [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] to sign the instrument of accession to India.<ref name="IA"/> [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|Indian annexation of Goa]] was conducted by [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Infantry Division]] and [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]], under the operational control of Southern Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillarisetti |first=Jagan |title=The Liberation of Goa: 1961 |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005110857/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |archive-date=5 October 2003 |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |df=dmy}}</ref>


In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the [[Rann of Kutch]] in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen [[P. O. Dunn]] was formed to contain this attack.<ref name="IA"/> Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] under [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]. On 3 November 1966, this formation was redesignated [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]], under Major General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], and also placed under Southern Command.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43</ref>
In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the [[Rann of Kutch]] in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen [[Patrick Dunn (Indian Army general)|P. O. Dunn]] was formed to contain this attack.<ref name="IA"/> Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] under [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]. On 3 November 1966, this formation was re-designated [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]], under Major General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], and also placed under Southern Command.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43</ref>
 
==Structure==
The command headquarters is located in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operational Commands of The Indian Army|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|access-date=4 January 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228041815/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref> It consists of two corps and two military areas.<ref name="IA"/> The two areas are the Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area)<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18</ref> and the Dakshin Bharat Area (renamed). In 2005, changes were made to its [[area of responsibility]] when a new South Western Command was established.<ref name="global">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |title=Southern Command |publisher=GlobalSecurity |access-date=2016-01-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124083001/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>
 
Dakshin Bharat Area is a static formation which now provides administrative, logistical, and infrastructural support to military units and establishments in Southern India. It was previously known as the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area). The current [[General Officer Commanding]] is Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar. Its responsibilities include administrative; logistical; and infrastructure support. The area encompasses the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, as well as the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadwee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thenewsmill.com/2025/07/lt-gen-ks-brar-goc-dakshin-bharat-area-visits-industries-in-hyderabad/|title=Lt Gen KS Brar, GOC Dakshin Bharat Area visits industries in Hyderabad|date=9 July 2025|newspaper=The News Mill|access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="6" |Structure of Southern Command
|-
!Insignia
!Corps/Area
!Corps/Area HQ
!General Officer Commanding
!Assigned Units
!Unit HQ
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[File:Konark Corps, Indian Army.svg|frameless|124x124px]]
| rowspan="5" |[[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]
''<small>(Konark Corps)</small>''
| rowspan="5" |[[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] Aditya Vikram Singh Rathee<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-17 |title=Lieutenant General A V S Rathee Takes Command of Konark Corps - SSBCrack News |url=https://news.ssbcrack.com/lieutenant-general-a-v-s-rathee-takes-command-of-konark-corps/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[11th Infantry Division (India)|11 Infantry Division]]
|[[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]
|-
|[[12th Infantry Division (India)|12 RAPID Division]]
|[[Jaisalmer]], Rajasthan
|-
|75 (Independent) Infantry Brigade
|[[Bhuj|Bhuj, Gujarat]]
|-
|4 (Independent) Armoured Brigade
|Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
|-
|340 (Independent) Mechanized Brigade
|[[Ajmer|Ajmer, Rajasthan]]
|-
|
| colspan="5" |
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[File:XXI Corps, Indian Army.svg|frameless|130x130px]]
| rowspan="5" |[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]
''<small>(Sudarshan Chakra Corps)</small>''
| rowspan="5" |[[Bhopal]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] Arvind Chauhan<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-03 |title=Lt Gen Chauhan takes charge of Sudarshan Chakra Corps |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/lt-gen-chauhan-takes-charge-of-sudarshan-chakra-corps/articleshow/123067534.cms |access-date=2026-03-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|[[54th Infantry Division (India)|54 Infantry Division]]
|[[Secunderabad]], Telangana
|-
|[[36th Infantry Division (India)|36 RAPID Division]]
|[[Saugor|Sagar]], Madhya Pradesh
|-
|[[31st Indian Armoured Division|31 Armoured Division]]
|[[Jhansi]], Uttar Pradesh
|-
|41  Artillery Division
|[[Pune]], Maharashtra
|-
|475 Engineering Brigade
|[[Nasirabad, Ajmer|Nasirabad]], Rajasthan
|-
|
| colspan="5" |
|-
|[[File:MG & G Area, Indian Army.svg|frameless|130x130px]]
|Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area
|[[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] Dheerendra Singh Kushwah<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-21 |title=Lt Gen DS Kushwah Takes Command of HQ MG & G Area |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/08/lt-gen-ds-kushwah-takes-command-of-hq-mg-g-area.html |access-date=2026-03-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |
|-
|
| colspan="5" |
|-
|
|Dakshin Bharat Area
|[[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] V Sreehari<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lieutenant General V. Sreehari to take charge as GOC, Dakshin Bharat Area from August 1 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lieutenant-general-v-sreehari-to-take-charge-as-goc-dakshin-bharat-area-from-august-1/article69878048.ece |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250801142147/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lieutenant-general-v-sreehari-to-take-charge-as-goc-dakshin-bharat-area-from-august-1/article69878048.ece |archive-date=2025-08-01 |access-date=2026-03-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |
|}
 
== Precursors (1907–1948) ==
Following is the List of precursors to the Southern Command and their commanders:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Army Commands|archivedate=5 July 2015}}</ref>


==Commanders prior to Independence==
=== Southern Command (1907–1908) ===
Commanders included:<ref>[http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf Army Commands] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf |date=5 July 2015 }}</ref><br>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
*1907 – Oct 1908 General [[Archibald Hunter|Sir Archibald Hunter]]
|- style="background:#cccccc"
*Oct 1908 – Oct 1912 General [[Edmund Barrow|Sir Edmund Barrow]]
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
*Oct 1912 – Feb 1915 General [[John Nixon (Indian Army officer)|Sir John Nixon]] 
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Name
*Feb 1915 – 1916 Lieutenant-General [[Robert Scallon|Sir Robert Scallon]]
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
*Apr 1917 – Nov 1919 Lieutenant-General [[Charles Alexander Anderson|Sir Charles Anderson]]
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
*Nov 1919 – 1923 Lieutenant-General [[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William Marshall]]
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
*1923 – Mar 1924 Lieutenant-General [[Andrew Skeen|Sir Andrew Skeen]]
|-
*Mar 1924 – Mar 1928 Lieutenant-General [[Harold Bridgwood Walker|Sir Harold Walker]]
|1
*Mar 1928 – Mar 1932 General [[William Heneker|Sir William Heneker]] 
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Archibald Hunter|Sir Archibald Hunter]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|DSO}}}}
*Mar 1932 – Mar 1936 General [[George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys (British Army officer)|Sir George Jeffreys]]  
|June 1907
*Mar 1936 – Oct 1937 Lieutenant-General [[Ivo Vesey|Sir Ivo Vesey]]  
|October 1908
*Oct 1937 – Mar 1941 General [[John Brind|Sir John Brind]]
|[[King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)|4th (King's Own Royal) Regiment of Foot]]
*Mar 1941 – Oct 1941 Lieutenant-General [[Thomas Riddell-Webster]]
|
*Oct 1941 – Jun 1942 General [[Brodie Haig|Sir Brodie Haig]]
|}
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
*Jun 1942 – Mar 1945 Lieutenant-General [[Noel Beresford-Peirse|Sir Noel Beresford-Peirse]]  
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
*Apr 1945 – 1947 Lieutenant-General [[Rob Lockhart|Sir Rob Lockhart]]
*1947–1948 Lieutenant-General [[Eric Goddard]] (post-independence)


==Structure==
=== Southern Army (1908–1920) ===
Today the command headquarters is located at [[Pune Cantonment]] in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operational Commands of The Indian Army|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|access-date=4 January 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228041815/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref> It consists of two corps and two military areas.<ref name="IA"/> The two areas appear to be : one at Mumbai, the Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area), responsible for those states; and one at Chennai, the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area) responsible for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
|- style="background:#cccccc"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
|-
|1
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Edmund Barrow|Sir Edmund G. Barrow]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB}}}}
|October 1908
|October 1912
|[[102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)]]
|
|-
|2
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[John Nixon (Indian Army officer)|Sir John E. Nixon]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB}}}}
|October 1912
|February 1915
|[[75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot]]
|
|-
|3
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Robert Scallon|Sir Robert I. Scallon]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KCIE|DSO}}}}
|February 1915
|1916
|[[72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders|72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]]
|
|-
|4
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Charles Alexander Anderson|Sir Charles A. Anderson]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KCIE|AM}}}}
|April 1917
|November 1919
|[[Royal Horse Artillery]]
|
|-
|5
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William R. Marshall]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|GCMG|KCB|KCSI}}}}
|November 1919
|1920
|[[Sherwood Foresters]]
|
|}


The Southern Command encompasses nine states and four union territories which covers about 40% of [[India]].<ref name="IA"/>
=== Southern Command (1920–1942) ===
In 2005, some changes to the command's boundaries were made when a new South Western Command was established.<ref name=global>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |title=Southern Command |publisher=GlobalSecurity |access-date=2016-01-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124083001/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
|- style="background:#cccccc"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
|-
|1
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William R. Marshall]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|GCMG|KCB|KCSI}}}}
|1920
|December 1923
|[[Sherwood Foresters]]
|
|-
|2
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Andrew Skeen|Sir Andrew Skeen]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCIE|CB|CMG}}}}
|December 1923
|March 1924
|[[King's Own Scottish Borderers]]
|
|-
|3
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Harold Bridgwood Walker|Sir Harold B. Walker]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KCMG|DSO}}}}
|March 1924
|March 1928
|[[Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry]]
|
|-
|4
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[William Heneker|Sir William C. G. Heneker]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KCMG|DSO}}}}
|March 1928
|March 1932
|[[Connaught Rangers]]
|-
|5
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys (British Army officer)|Sir George D. Jeffreys]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KCVO|CMG}}}}
|March 1932
|March 1936
|[[Grenadier Guards]]
|
|-
|6
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ivo Vesey|Sir Ivo L. B. Vesey]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KBE|CMG|DSO}}}}
|March 1936
|October 1937
|[[Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)|Queen's Royal Regiment]]
|
|-
|7
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[John Brind|Sir John E. S. Brind]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|KBE|CMG|DSO}}}}
|October 1937
|March 1941
|[[Royal Artillery]]
|
|-
|8
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Thomas Riddell-Webster|Thomas S. Riddell-Webster]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|CB|DSO}}}}
|March 1941
|October 1941
|[[Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)]]
|
|-
|9
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Brodie Haig|Sir Brodie Haig]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|MC*}}}}
|October 1941
|June 1942
|[[24th Punjabis]]
|
|}


Its components include:<ref name=global/>
=== Southern Army (1942–1945) ===
*
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
* '''[[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]''', headquartered at [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p.28</ref>
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
**[[4th Armoured Brigade (India)|4th Armoured Brigade]]
|- style="background:#cccccc"
**[[340th Mechanized Brigade (India)|340th Mechanized Brigade]]
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
**[[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Ahmedabad]], Gujarat
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Name
**[[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th RAPID]] headquartered at [[Jaisalmer]], Rajasthan
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
* '''[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]''', headquartered at [[Bhopal]], Madhya Pradesh
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
**41 Artillery Division headquartered at [[Pune]], Maharashtra. The division includes 97 Artillery Brigade,<ref>[http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h15.html Armed Forces] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721174108/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h15.html |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> may include 98 Artillery Brigade.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/times-of-india-the/mi_8012/is_20080104/army-cycle-mission-cover-20/ai_n39473483/ Army cycle mission to cover 20 forts], [[Times of India]], 4 January 2008</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
**[[31st Indian Armoured Division|31st Armoured Division]] headquartered at [[Jhansi]], Uttar Pradesh
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
**[[36th Infantry Division (India)|36th RAPID]] headquartered at [[Saugor]], Madhya Pradesh
|-
**[[54th Infantry Division (India)|54th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Secunderabad]], Telangana
|1
**Artillery brigade
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Noel Beresford-Peirse|Sir Noel M. de la P. Beresford-Peirse]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|CB|DSO}}}}
**Air Defence brigade
|June 1942
**475th Engineering Brigade
|March 1945
*Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area headquartered at [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]<ref>Source for areas' names and headquarters is the Indian Army Southern Command website, accessed August 2010</ref>
|[[Royal Artillery]]
*Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area headquartered at [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
|
* 617 Independent [[Air Defence]] Brigade at [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]
|}


== List of Commanders ==
== List of GOC-in-C of Southern Command (1945- present) ==
[[File:Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander.png|thumb|right|355x355px|Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander]]
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
!Rank
|- style="background:#cccccc"
!Name
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
!Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Name
!Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
!Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
!References
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
|-
|1
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Rob Lockhart]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|CIE|MC}}}}
|April 1945
|15 August 1947
|[[51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)|51st Sikhs]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|2
|[[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Eric Goddard]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|CB|CIE|CBE|MVO|MC}}}}
|15 August 1947
|1 May 1948
|[[107th Pioneers]]
|
|-
|3
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|DSO}}}}
|1 May 1948
|1 May 1948
|14 January 1953
|14 January 1953
Line 115: Line 325:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|4
|[[S. M. Shrinagesh|S M Shrinagesh]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[S. M. Shrinagesh|Satyawant M. Shrinagesh]]  
|17 January 1953
|17 January 1953
|14 May 1955
|14 May 1955
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]] <br/>(presently [[Kumaon Regiment]])
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]  
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|5
|[[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimayya]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|DSO}}}}
|15 May 1955
|15 May 1955
|14 September 1956
|14 September 1956
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]<br/>(presently [[Kumaon Regiment]])
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|6
|[[Pran Nath Thapar]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Pran Nath Thapar]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|21 January 1957
|21 January 1957
|24 May 1959
|24 May 1959
Line 136: Line 346:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|7
|[[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|OBE}}}}
|25 May 1959
|25 May 1959
|19 November 1962
|19 November 1962
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|<ref>{{cite book|last=Praval|first=Major K.C.|title=Indian Army After Independence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdxDcxj_wn4C&pg=RA1-PT301|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-1-935501-61-9|page=1}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite book |last=Praval |first=Major K.C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdxDcxj_wn4C&pg=RA1-PT301 |title=Indian Army After Independence |year=1987 |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=978-1-935501-61-9 |page=1}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|8
|[[Lionel Protip Sen]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Lionel Protip Sen]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|DSO}}}}
|10 May 1963
|10 May 1963
|7 May 1965
|7 May 1965
Line 150: Line 360:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|9
|Moti Sagar
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Moti Sagar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|8 May 1965
|8 May 1965
|3 July 1969
|3 July 1969
|[[4 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[4th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|10
|[[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|4 July 1969
|4 July 1969
|14 January 1973
|14 January 1973
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html|title=Gopal Gurunath Bewoor|access-date=17 January 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204210425/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html|archive-date=4 December 2007}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Gopal Gurunath Bewoor |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204210425/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html |archive-date=4 December 2007 |access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|11
|[[Sartaj Singh (general)|Sartaj Singh]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Sartaj Singh (general)|Sartaj Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|GM}}}}
|27 January 1973
|27 January 1973
|31 July 1974
|31 July 1974
Line 171: Line 381:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|12
|[[Om Prakash Malhotra]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Om Prakash Malhotra]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|1 August 1974
|1 August 1974
|19 January 1977
|19 January 1977
Line 178: Line 388:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|13
|A M Vohra
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] A. M. Vohra {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|20 January 1977
|20 January 1977
|30 May 1979
|30 May 1979
|[[3 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[3rd Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|14
|A N Mathur
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] A. N. Mathur {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM}}}}
|31 May 1979
|31 May 1979
|29 June 1980
|29 June 1980
Line 192: Line 402:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|15
|R D Hira
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Ram Dharam Dass Hira {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|MVC}}}}
|30 June 1980
|30 June 1980
|31 August 1981
|31 August 1981
|[[9 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|16
|[[Tirath Singh Oberoi]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Tirath Singh Oberoi]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VrC}}}}
|1 September 1981
|1 September 1981
|30 November 1984
|30 November 1984
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/as-gen-arun-shridhar-vaidya-retires-indian-army-reshuffles-to-appoint-new-army-chief/1/353964.html|title=As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/19850315-as-gen-arun-shridhar-vaidya-retires-indian-army-reshuffles-to-appoint-new-army-chief-769878-2013-12-01 |access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|17
|[[Ranjit Singh Dyal]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ranjit Singh Dyal]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|MVC}}}}
|14 February 1985
|14 February 1985
|30 November 1986
|30 November 1986
Line 213: Line 423:
|<ref name=":0" />
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|18
|[[Depinder Singh]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Depinder Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 December 1986
|1 December 1986
|29 November 1988
|29 November 1988
|[[8 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|19
|A K Chatterjee
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] A. K. Chatterjee {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 March 1988
|1 March 1988
|31 May 1990
|31 May 1990
Line 227: Line 437:
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|20
|[[Bipin Chandra Joshi]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Bipin Chandra Joshi]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 June 1990
|1 June 1990
|14 August 1992
|14 August 1992
|[[64 Cavalry]]
|[[64 Cavalry]]
|<ref name=":1">{{cite book|last1=Abidi|first1=S. Sartaj Alam|last2=Sharma|first2=Satinder|title=Services Chiefs of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k35_SlDMyUsC&pg=PA85|year=2007|publisher=Northern Book Centre|isbn=978-81-7211-162-5|page=85}}</ref>
|<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Abidi |first1=S. Sartaj Alam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k35_SlDMyUsC&pg=PA85 |title=Services Chiefs of India |last2=Sharma |first2=Satinder |publisher=Northern Book Centre |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-7211-162-5 |page=85}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|21
|A S Kalkat
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] A. S. Kalkat {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|SYSM|PVSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|15 August 1992
|15 August 1992
|31 December 1993
|31 December 1993
|[[8 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|22
|Moti Dar
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Moti Dar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 January 1994
|1 January 1994
|16 July 1995
|16 July 1995
|[[Poona Horse]]
|[[Poona Horse|17th Horse (Poona Horse)]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|23
|[[Ved Prakash Malik]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ved Prakash Malik]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|17 July 1995
|17 July 1995
|31 August 1996
|31 August 1996
Line 255: Line 465:
|<ref name=":1" />
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|24
|H M Khanna
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] H. M. Khanna {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 September 1996
|1 September 1996
|3 January 1999
|3 January 1999
|[[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[4 Gorkha Rifles|4th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|25
|[[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|4 January 1999
|4 January 1999
|30 September 2000
|30 September 2000
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm|title=rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153709/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153709/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|26
|[[Nirmal Chander Vij]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Nirmal Chander Vij]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 October 2000
|1 October 2000
|31 September 2001
|31 September 2001
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015160419/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm|archive-date=15 October 2008}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015160419/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm |archive-date=15 October 2008 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|27
|Gurbaksh Singh Sihota
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Gurbaksh Singh Sihota {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VrC|VSM}}}}
|9 October 2001
|9 October 2001
|29 February 2004
|29 February 2004
|[[Regiment of Artillery|7 Field Regiment]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery|7 Field Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lt-gen-gs-sihota-retires-on-feb-29/articleshow/526234.cms|title=Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29|date=2004-02-28|access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=2004-02-28 |title=Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29 |website=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lt-gen-gs-sihota-retires-on-feb-29/articleshow/526234.cms |access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|28
|Balraj Singh Takhar
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Balraj Singh Takhar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 March 2004
|1 March 2004
|31 January 2006
|31 January 2006
|[[Poona Horse]]
|[[Poona Horse|17th Horse (Poona Horse)]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226060702/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2005-11-04|archive-date=26 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123006850500.htm|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief|date=2004-12-30|access-date=2017-10-26}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=India Who's who|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=woJmAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=INFA Publications}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-11-04 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226060702/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm |archive-date=26 February 2008 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-12-30 |title=Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123006850500.htm |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=woJmAAAAMAAJ |title=India Who's who |publisher=INFA Publications |year=2004}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|29
|Aditya Singh
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Aditya Singh {{small|[[PVSM]], [[AVSM]][[Medal bar|*]]}}
|1 March 2006
|1 March 2006
|30 September 2007
|30 September 2007
|[[9th Deccan Horse]]
|[[9th Deccan Horse]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html|title=LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD)|website=www.delhipolicygroup.org|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125752/http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html|title=Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS|work=oneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125944/https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD) |url=http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125752/http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html |archive-date=27 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.delhipolicygroup.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS |language=en |work=oneindia.com |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125944/https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|30
|Noble Thamburaj
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Noble Thamburaj {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|SM}}}}
|1 October 2007
|1 October 2007
|31 December 2008
|31 December 2008
|[[Bombay Sappers]]
|[[Bombay Sappers]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687|title=Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029204510/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm|title=Sainik Samchar 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125611/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029204510/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687 |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sainik Samchar 2007 |url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125611/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|31
|Pradeep Khanna
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Pradeep Khanna {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 January 2009
|1 January 2009
|28 February 2011
|28 February 2011
|[[20 Lancers (India)|20 Lancers]]
|[[20 Lancers (India)|20 Lancers]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744|title='Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093113/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744|archive-date=28 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title='Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093113/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744 |archive-date=28 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-27 |website=pib.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|32
|[[A. K. Singh]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[A. K. Singh|Ajay Kumar Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 March 2011
|1 March 2011
|31 January 2013
|31 January 2013
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Lt-Gen-A-K-Singh-is-new-GOC-in-C-of-Southern-Command/articleshow/7599012.cms|title=Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/|title=Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command|date=2011-03-01|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125748/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Lt-Gen-A-K-Singh-is-new-GOC-in-C-of-Southern-Command/articleshow/7599012.cms |access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-03-01 |title=Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125748/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/ |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|33
|Ashok Singh
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Ashok Singh {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 February 2013
|1 February 2013
|31 December 2015
|31 December 2015
|[[Brigade of the Guards|7 Guards]]
|[[Brigade of the Guards]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713/|title=Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527073637/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713|archive-date=27 May 2014}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527073637/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=archive.indianexpress.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|34
|[[Bipin Rawat]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Bipin Rawat]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|UYSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 January 2016
|1 January 2016
|31 July 2016
|31 July 2016
|[[11 Gorkha Rifles|5/11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/|title=Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander|date=2016-01-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225044152/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/|archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-01-02 |title=Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225044152/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/ |archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|35
|[[P M Hariz]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[P M Hariz|P. M. Hariz]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 September 2016
|1 September 2016
|30 November 2017
|30 November 2017
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment|Mechanised Infantry]]
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment|Mechanised Infantry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html|title=Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command|last=IANS|date=2016-09-01|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219185917/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html|archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=IANS |date=2016-09-01 |title=Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command |work=Business Standard India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219185917/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html |archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|36
|[[Dewan Rabindranath Soni|D R Soni]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dewan Rabindranath Soni]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 December 2017
|1 December 2017
|1 October 2018
|1 October 2018
|[[Central India Horse]]
|[[Central India Horse]]
|<ref name="The Indian Express">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-gen-dr-soni-takes-over-as-chief-of-southern-command-4964165/|title=Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command|date=2017-12-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
|<ref name="The Indian Express">{{Cite news |date=2017-12-02 |title=Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-gen-dr-soni-takes-over-as-chief-of-southern-command-4964165/ |access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|37
|[[Satinder Kumar Saini|S K Saini]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Satinder Kumar Saini]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|VSM}}}}
|1 October 2018
|1 October 2018
|24 January 2020
|24 January 2020
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/headlines/202678-general-sk-saini-new-head-of-southern-command|title=General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command|date=1 October 2018|publisher=Devdiscourse|access-date=1 October 2018}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2018 |title=General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/headlines/202678-general-sk-saini-new-head-of-southern-command |access-date=1 October 2018 |publisher=Devdiscourse}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|38
|[[Chandi Prasad Mohanty|C P Mohanty]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|30 January 2020
|30 January 2020
|31 January 2021
|31 January 2021
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m-hindustantimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/lt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command/story-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15805270697948&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fm.hindustantimes.com%2Fpune-news%2Flt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command%2Fstory-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html%23aoh%3D15805270697948%26referrer%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%26amp_tf%3DFrom%2520%25251%2524s|title=Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command|website=Hindustan Times|date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=31 January 2020 |title=Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command |url=https://m-hindustantimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/lt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command/story-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15805270697948&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fm.hindustantimes.com%2Fpune-news%2Flt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command%2Fstory-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html%23aoh%3D15805270697948%26referrer%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%26amp_tf%3DFrom%2520%25251%2524s |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|39
|[[Jai Singh Nain]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Jai Singh Nain]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|SM}}}}
|1 February 2021
|1 February 2021
|31 October 2022
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web |date=31 January 2021 |title=JS Nain army commander southern command |url=https://deccanexpress.co/defence/pune-southern-command-lieutenant-general-js-nain-is-the-new-southern-army-commander-16734/ |access-date=1 February 2021 |publisher=Deccan Express}}</ref>
|-
|40
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ajai Kumar Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 November 2022
|30 June 2024
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1587395200397168641|title=Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh assumed the command of Southern Command today.|date=2022-11-01|access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>
|-
|41
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dhiraj Seth]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 July 2024
|''Incumbent''
|''Incumbent''
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)]]
|<ref name=nain>{{cite web|title=JS Nain army commander southern command |url=https://deccanexpress.co/defence/pune-southern-command-lieutenant-general-js-nain-is-the-new-southern-army-commander-16734/|date=31 January 2021|publisher=Deccan Express|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes command of Pune-based Southern Army |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-dhiraj-seth-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-army-9426241/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 16:13, 17 March 2026


Southern Command
Insignia of the Southern Command
Active1908–present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeCommand
Garrison/HQPune
Anniversaries1 April (Raising Day)
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM UYSM AVSM
Notable
commanders		General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja
General S M Shrinagesh
General K S Thimayya
General Pran Nath Thapar
General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri
General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor
General Om Prakash Malhotra
General Bipin Chandra Joshi
General Ved Prakash Malik
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan
General Nirmal Chander Vij
General Bipin Rawat
Insignia
Flag

Southern Command is a formation of the Indian Army, active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several Princely States into modern India, during the 1961 Indian liberation of Goa, and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is the present Southern Army Commander.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Early history[edit | edit source]

The Presidency armies were abolished with effect from 1 April 1895 when the three Presidency armies became the Indian Army.[2] The Indian Army was divided into four Commands (Bengal Command, Bombay Command, Madras Command and Punjab Command) each under a lieutenant general.[2]

In 1908, the four commands were merged into two Armies (Northern Army and Southern Army): this system persisted until 1920 when the arrangement reverted to four commands again (Eastern Command, Northern Command, Southern Command and Western Command).[2] In 1914, the Southern Army consisted of the 4th (Quetta) Division, the 5th (Mhow) Division, the 6th (Poona) Division, the 9th (Secunderabad) Division, and the Aden Brigade.[3]

Second World War[edit | edit source]

During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army (equivalent to a corps) in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.[4]

Component divisions included:[5]

Component brigades included:[5]

Post war[edit | edit source]

In August 1947, Southern Command had the Deccan, Madras and Bombay Areas (with HQs at Kamptee, Madras and Bombay). In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting Junagadh and Hyderabad to sign the instrument of accession to India.[2] 1st Armoured Division did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the Indian annexation of Goa was conducted by 17th Infantry Division and 50th Parachute Brigade, under the operational control of Southern Command.[6]

In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the Rann of Kutch in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen P. O. Dunn was formed to contain this attack.[2] Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 under Western Command. On 3 November 1966, this formation was re-designated 12th Infantry Division, under Major General J.F.R. Jacob, and also placed under Southern Command.[7]

Structure[edit | edit source]

The command headquarters is located in Pune, Maharashtra.[8] It consists of two corps and two military areas.[2] The two areas are the Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area)[9] and the Dakshin Bharat Area (renamed). In 2005, changes were made to its area of responsibility when a new South Western Command was established.[10]

Dakshin Bharat Area is a static formation which now provides administrative, logistical, and infrastructural support to military units and establishments in Southern India. It was previously known as the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area). The current General Officer Commanding is Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar. Its responsibilities include administrative; logistical; and infrastructure support. The area encompasses the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, as well as the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadwee.[11]

Structure of Southern Command
Insignia Corps/Area Corps/Area HQ General Officer Commanding Assigned Units Unit HQ
XII Corps

(Konark Corps)

Jodhpur, Rajasthan Lt Gen Aditya Vikram Singh Rathee[12] 11 Infantry Division Ahmedabad, Gujarat
12 RAPID Division Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
75 (Independent) Infantry Brigade Bhuj, Gujarat
4 (Independent) Armoured Brigade Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
340 (Independent) Mechanized Brigade Ajmer, Rajasthan
XXI Corps

(Sudarshan Chakra Corps)

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Lt Gen Arvind Chauhan[13] 54 Infantry Division Secunderabad, Telangana
36 RAPID Division Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
31 Armoured Division Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
41 Artillery Division Pune, Maharashtra
475 Engineering Brigade Nasirabad, Rajasthan
Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area Mumbai, Maharashtra Lt Gen Dheerendra Singh Kushwah[14]
Dakshin Bharat Area Chennai, Tamil Nadu Lt Gen V Sreehari[15]

Precursors (1907–1948)[edit | edit source]

Following is the List of precursors to the Southern Command and their commanders:[16]

Southern Command (1907–1908)[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 General Sir Archibald Hunter KCB, DSO June 1907 October 1908 4th (King's Own Royal) Regiment of Foot

Southern Army (1908–1920)[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 General Sir Edmund G. Barrow KCB October 1908 October 1912 102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)
2 General Sir John E. Nixon KCB October 1912 February 1915 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot
3 Lieutenant General Sir Robert I. Scallon KCB, KCIE, DSO February 1915 1916 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot
4 Lieutenant General Sir Charles A. Anderson KCB, KCIE, AM April 1917 November 1919 Royal Horse Artillery
5 Lieutenant General Sir William R. Marshall GCMG, KCB, KCSI November 1919 1920 Sherwood Foresters

Southern Command (1920–1942)[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 Lieutenant General Sir William R. Marshall GCMG, KCB, KCSI 1920 December 1923 Sherwood Foresters
2 Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Skeen KCIE, CB, CMG December 1923 March 1924 King's Own Scottish Borderers
3 Lieutenant General Sir Harold B. Walker KCB, KCMG, DSO March 1924 March 1928 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
4 General Sir William C. G. Heneker KCB, KCMG, DSO March 1928 March 1932 Connaught Rangers
5 General Sir George D. Jeffreys KCB, KCVO, CMG March 1932 March 1936 Grenadier Guards
6 Lieutenant General Sir Ivo L. B. Vesey KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO March 1936 October 1937 Queen's Royal Regiment
7 General Sir John E. S. Brind KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO October 1937 March 1941 Royal Artillery
8 Lieutenant General Thomas S. Riddell-Webster CB, DSO March 1941 October 1941 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
9 General Sir Brodie Haig KCB, MC* October 1941 June 1942 24th Punjabis

Southern Army (1942–1945)[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 Lieutenant General Sir Noel M. de la P. Beresford-Peirse KCB, CB, DSO June 1942 March 1945 Royal Artillery

List of GOC-in-C of Southern Command (1945- present)[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 Lieutenant General Rob Lockhart KCB, CIE, MC April 1945 15 August 1947 51st Sikhs
2 Lieutenant General Eric Goddard CB, CIE, CBE, MVO, MC 15 August 1947 1 May 1948 107th Pioneers
3 Lieutenant General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja DSO 1 May 1948 14 January 1953 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
4 Lieutenant General Satyawant M. Shrinagesh 17 January 1953 14 May 1955 19th Hyderabad Regiment
5 Lieutenant General K. S. Thimayya DSO 15 May 1955 14 September 1956 19th Hyderabad Regiment
6 Lieutenant General Pran Nath Thapar PVSM 21 January 1957 24 May 1959 1st Punjab Regiment
7 Lieutenant General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri OBE 25 May 1959 19 November 1962 7th Light Cavalry [17]
8 Lieutenant General Lionel Protip Sen DSO 10 May 1963 7 May 1965 10th Baluch Regiment
9 Lieutenant General Moti Sagar PVSM 8 May 1965 3 July 1969 4th Gorkha Rifles
10 Lieutenant General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor PVSM 4 July 1969 14 January 1973 Dogra Regiment [18]
11 Lieutenant General Sartaj Singh GM 27 January 1973 31 July 1974 Regiment of Artillery
12 Lieutenant General Om Prakash Malhotra PVSM 1 August 1974 19 January 1977 Regiment of Artillery
13 Lieutenant General A. M. Vohra PVSM 20 January 1977 30 May 1979 3rd Gorkha Rifles
14 Lieutenant General A. N. Mathur PVSM 31 May 1979 29 June 1980 Corps of Signals
15 Lieutenant General Ram Dharam Dass Hira PVSM, MVC 30 June 1980 31 August 1981 11th Gorkha Rifles
16 Lieutenant General Tirath Singh Oberoi PVSM, VrC 1 September 1981 30 November 1984 Parachute Regiment [19]
17 Lieutenant General Ranjit Singh Dyal PVSM, MVC 14 February 1985 30 November 1986 Parachute Regiment [19]
18 Lieutenant General Depinder Singh PVSM, VSM 1 December 1986 29 November 1988 8th Gorkha Rifles
19 Lieutenant General A. K. Chatterjee PVSM, VSM 1 March 1988 31 May 1990 Sikh Light Infantry
20 Lieutenant General Bipin Chandra Joshi PVSM, AVSM 1 June 1990 14 August 1992 64 Cavalry [20]
21 Lieutenant General A. S. Kalkat SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VSM 15 August 1992 31 December 1993 8th Gorkha Rifles
22 Lieutenant General Moti Dar PVSM, AVSM 1 January 1994 16 July 1995 17th Horse (Poona Horse)
23 Lieutenant General Ved Prakash Malik PVSM, AVSM 17 July 1995 31 August 1996 Sikh Light Infantry [20]
24 Lieutenant General H. M. Khanna PVSM, AVSM 1 September 1996 3 January 1999 4th Gorkha Rifles
25 Lieutenant General Sundararajan Padmanabhan PVSM, AVSM, VSM 4 January 1999 30 September 2000 Regiment of Artillery [21]
26 Lieutenant General Nirmal Chander Vij PVSM, UYSM, AVSM 1 October 2000 31 September 2001 Dogra Regiment [22]
27 Lieutenant General Gurbaksh Singh Sihota PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM 9 October 2001 29 February 2004 7 Field Regiment [23]
28 Lieutenant General Balraj Singh Takhar PVSM, AVSM 1 March 2004 31 January 2006 17th Horse (Poona Horse) [24][25][26]
29 Lieutenant General Aditya Singh PVSM, AVSM* 1 March 2006 30 September 2007 9th Deccan Horse [27][28]
30 Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj PVSM, SM 1 October 2007 31 December 2008 Bombay Sappers [29][30]
31 Lieutenant General Pradeep Khanna PVSM, AVSM 1 January 2009 28 February 2011 20 Lancers [31]
32 Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM 1 March 2011 31 January 2013 7th Light Cavalry [32][33]
33 Lieutenant General Ashok Singh PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM 1 February 2013 31 December 2015 Brigade of the Guards [34]
34 Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM 1 January 2016 31 July 2016 11th Gorkha Rifles [35]
35 Lieutenant General P. M. Hariz PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM 1 September 2016 30 November 2017 Mechanised Infantry [36]
36 Lieutenant General Dewan Rabindranath Soni PVSM, VSM 1 December 2017 1 October 2018 Central India Horse [37]
37 Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM 1 October 2018 24 January 2020 Jat Regiment [38]
38 Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM 30 January 2020 31 January 2021 Rajput Regiment [39]
39 Lieutenant General Jai Singh Nain PVSM, AVSM, SM 1 February 2021 31 October 2022 Dogra Regiment [40]
40 Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM 1 November 2022 30 June 2024 11th Gorkha Rifles [41]
41 Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth PVSM, UYSM, AVSM 1 July 2024 Incumbent 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) [42]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes command of Southern Army". The Indian Express. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Northern Command". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "THE INDIAN ARMY 1914". Orbat.com. 25 March 2001. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Southern Army". OOB.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Southern Army Subordinates". OOB.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ Pillarisetti, Jagan. "The Liberation of Goa: 1961". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 5 October 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43
  8. ↑ "Operational Commands of The Indian Army". Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18
  10. ↑ "Southern Command". GlobalSecurity. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Lt Gen KS Brar, GOC Dakshin Bharat Area visits industries in Hyderabad". The News Mill. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "Lieutenant General A V S Rathee Takes Command of Konark Corps - SSBCrack News". 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "Lt Gen Chauhan takes charge of Sudarshan Chakra Corps". The Times of India. 3 August 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "Lt Gen DS Kushwah Takes Command of HQ MG & G Area". 21 August 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Lieutenant General V. Sreehari to take charge as GOC, Dakshin Bharat Area from August 1". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 August 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Army Commands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Praval, Major K.C. (1987). Indian Army After Independence. Lancer Publishers LLC. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-935501-61-9.
  18. ↑ "Gopal Gurunath Bewoor". Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief". Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Abidi, S. Sartaj Alam; Sharma, Satinder (2007). Services Chiefs of India. Northern Book Centre. p. 85. ISBN 978-81-7211-162-5.
  21. ↑ "rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  22. ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  23. ↑ "Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29". The Times of India. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  24. ↑ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city". The Hindu. 4 November 2005. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief". The Hindu. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2017.[dead link]
  26. ↑ India Who's who. INFA Publications. 2004.
  27. ↑ "LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD)". www.delhipolicygroup.org. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  28. ↑ "Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS". oneindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  29. ↑ "Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  30. ↑ "Sainik Samchar 2007". Archived from the original on 27 October 2017.
  31. ↑ "'Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  32. ↑ "Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  33. ↑ "Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command". The Indian Express. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  34. ↑ "Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  35. ↑ "Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander". The Indian Express. 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  36. ↑ IANS (1 September 2016). "Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 19 December 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  37. ↑ "Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command". The Indian Express. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  38. ↑ "General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command". Devdiscourse. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  39. ↑ "Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command". Hindustan Times. 31 January 2020.
  40. ↑ "JS Nain army commander southern command". Deccan Express. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  41. ↑ "Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh assumed the command of Southern Command today". 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  42. ↑ "Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes command of Pune-based Southern Army". The Indian Express. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.

Sources[edit | edit source]

  • Rinaldi, Richard; Rikhye, Ravi (2011). Indian Army Order of Battle. General Data. ISBN 978-0982054178.
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