South Western Command (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Infobox Military Unit
| unit_name                     = South Western Command
| unit_name = South Western Command
| image                         = IA South Western Command.jpg
| image = File:South Western Command, Indian Army.png
| image_size                   = 200px
| image_size = 250px
| caption                       = South Western Command's insignia today
| caption = Insignia of the South Western Command
| country                       = {{Flag|India}}
| country = {{Flag|India}}
| branch                       = {{army|india}}
| branch = {{army|india}}
| type                         = [[Formation (military)|Command]]
| type = [[Formation (military)|Command]]
| dates                         = 2005 - Present
| dates = 15 April 2005 - Present
| specialization               =  
| specialization =  
| command_structure             =  
| command_structure =  
| size                         =  
| size =
| current_commander             = [[Amardeep Singh Bhinder|Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Bhinder, AVSM, VSM]]
| garrison = [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]
| commander1_label             = [[General officer commanding|GOC-in-C]]
| nickname = Sapta Shakti Command
| garrison                      = [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]
| motto = ''Sarvada Vijayee Bhava''<br> {{Translation|'Forever Victorious'}}
| battles                      =
| battles =  
| notable_commanders            =  
| current_commander = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] [[Manjinder Singh (general)|Manjinder Singh]], {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=80%|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|VSM|}}
| commander1_label = [[General officer commanding|GOC-in-C]]
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol = [[File:Flag of the South Western Command, Indian Army.png|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
}}
}}
The '''South Western Command''' of the [[Indian Army]] was established on 15 April 2005 and became fully operational on 15 August 2005.<ref name=randr>Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, 21</ref> It was in response to the emerging threats and opportunities on the Western [[India–Pakistan border|Indo-Pak border]]. It is headquartered at [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]].
The '''South Western Command''' of the [[Indian Army]] was established on 15 April 2005 and became fully operational on 15 August 2005. It was established in response to the emerging threats and opportunities on the Western [[India–Pakistan border|Indo-Pak border]] and is headquartered at [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Western Command |url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/command/command/south-western-command-commands-site-main |website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>


[[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Amardeep Singh Bhinder]] is the present commander.<ref name="bhinder" />
[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Manjinder Singh (general)|Manjinder Singh]] is the current GOCinC, SWC who took over on 1 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-02 |title=Lt Gen Singh takes over reins of South Western Command |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/lt-gen-manjinder-singh-takes-charge-of-south-western-command/articleshow/111416638.cms |access-date=2026-01-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>


The command's operational units include [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]], formerly under [[Central Command (India)|Central Command]],  [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]], likewise transferred from [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]] and an Artillery Division.<ref name="randr" />
== History and Role ==
The South Western Command of the [[Indian Army]] was formally raised on 15 April 2005 as the seventh operational command, with its headquarters established at [[Jaipur]] Military Station in [[Rajasthan]] with [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Krishnamurthy Nagaraj taking over as the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. This creation involved carving out sectors from the existing Western Command to enhance dedicated oversight of the arid western frontier, responding to evolving security dynamics along the Indo-Pak border.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India - Army South Western Command |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southwestcom.htm |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> The South Western Command is operationally responsible for the defence of Southern Punjab and Northern Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-24 |title=All About South Western (Sapta Shakti) Command: Forever Victorious |url=https://ssbcrackexams.com/all-about-south-western-sapta-shakti-command-forever-victorious/ |access-date=2026-01-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Structure ==
== Structure ==
Currently, the Western Command has been assigned operational units under:- [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]],  [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]] and 42nd Artillery Division. The command in total has following units under its belt :- 3 [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|divisions]] (1 for Mountain warfare), 1 [[Armored brigade|armoured division]], 1 [[artillery]] division, 2 Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division (RAPID), 1 [[Armored brigade|armoured brigade]], 1 [[Corps of Army Air Defence|Air-defence brigade]], and 1 [[Army engineer|engineering brigade]].
Currently, the South Western Command has been assigned operational units under:- [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]] and 42nd Artillery Division. The command in total has following units under its belt:- 3 [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|divisions]] (1 for Mountain warfare), 1 [[Armored brigade|armoured division]], 1 [[artillery]] division, 2 Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division (RAPID), 1 [[Armored brigade|armoured brigade]], 1 [[Corps of Army Air Defence|Air-defence brigade]], and 1 [[Army engineer|engineering brigade]].


In 2021, the except the 33 Armoured Division all the units of I Corps was transferred to [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]] to focus on the Sino-Indian border at Ladakh.
In 2021, except the 33 Armoured Division all the units of I Corps was transferred to [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]] to focus on the Sino-Indian border at Ladakh.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |Structure of South-Western Command
! colspan="5" |Structure of South-Western Command
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!Corp
!Corp
!Corp HQ
!Corp HQ
!GOC of Corp
!GOC of Corps
<small>(Corp Commander)</small>
<small>(Corps Commander)</small>
!Assigned Units
!Assigned Units
!Unit HQ
!Unit HQ
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''<small>(Chetak Corps)</small>''
''<small>(Chetak Corps)</small>''
| rowspan="6" |[[Bathinda, Punjab]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Bathinda, Punjab]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Lieutenant general|Lt Gen]] J. B. Chaudhari<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1453985133694885896 |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="6" |[[Lieutenant general|Lt Gen]] Shamsher Singh Virk
|16 Infantry Division
|16 Infantry Division
|[[Sri Ganganagar district|Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan]]
|[[Sri Ganganagar district|Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan]]
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|-
|-
|615 Air-defence Brigade
|615 Air-defence Brigade
|N/A
|[[Agra]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
|-
|-
|471 Engineering Brigade
|471 Engineering Brigade
|N/A
|N/A
|-
| colspan="5" |
|-
|-
|N/A
|N/A
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|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|33 Armoured Division
|[[33rd Armoured Division (India)|33 Armoured Division]]
|[[Hisar, Haryana]]
|[[Hisar, Haryana]]
|}
|}


== List of Commanders ==
== List of Commanders ==
{| class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="6" |General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South-Western Command
! colspan="6" |General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Command
|-
|- style="background:#cccccc"
!Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
!Name
! scope="col" style="width: 600px;" | Name
!Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
!Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
!Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Unit of Commission
!References
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | References
|-
|-  
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|1
|Krishnamurthy Nagaraj
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Krishnamurthy Nagaraj {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|ADC}}}},
|15 April 2005
|15 April 2005
|31 July 2006
|31 July 2006
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|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060813/punjab1.htm#22|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab|website=tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907231427/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060813/punjab1.htm#22|archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060813/punjab1.htm#22|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab|website=tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907231427/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060813/punjab1.htm#22|archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|2
|Parmendra Kumar Singh
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Parmendra Kumar Singh {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 August 2006
|1 August 2006
|31 July 2008
|31 July 2008
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20080901/281844344431888|title=PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News|website=pressreader.com|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024152757/http://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20080901/281844344431888|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may15-07/h13.htm|title=Sainik Samachar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100114/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may15-07/h13.htm|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20080901/281844344431888|title=PressReader - the Times of India (New Delhi edition): 2008-09-01 - New GOC-in-chief of South Western Command|via=PressReader|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024152757/http://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20080901/281844344431888|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may15-07/h13.htm|title=Sainik Samachar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100114/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may15-07/h13.htm|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|3
|Chanroth Kunnumal Suchindra Sabu
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Chanroth Kunnumal Suchindra Sabu {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 September 2008
|1 September 2008
|30 November 2010
|30 November 2010
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081002/jsp/jharkhand/story_9917912.jsp|title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) {{!}} Jharkhand {{!}} School gets new campus|website=telegraphindia.com|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100413/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081002/jsp/jharkhand/story_9917912.jsp|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081002/jsp/jharkhand/story_9917912.jsp|title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) {{!}} Jharkhand {{!}} School gets new campus|website=telegraphindia.com|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100413/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1081002/jsp/jharkhand/story_9917912.jsp|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|4
|[[S. K. Singh (general)|Shri Krishna Singh]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[S. K. Singh (general)|Shri Krishna Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 December 2010
|1 December 2010
|31 October 2011
|31 October 2011
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|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/117737/lt-gen-s-k-singh.html|title=Lt Gen S K Singh takes over as Army SW Command chief|website=Deccan Herald|date=3 December 2010 |access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095940/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/117737/lt-gen-s-k-singh.html|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/117737/lt-gen-s-k-singh.html|title=Lt Gen S K Singh takes over as Army SW Command chief|website=Deccan Herald|date=3 December 2010 |access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095940/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/117737/lt-gen-s-k-singh.html|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|5
|Gyan Bhushan
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Gyan Bhushan {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 November 2011
|1 November 2011
|31 December 2013
|31 December 2013
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|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/wire-news/-1939471.html|title=Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan takes over as SW command's new GOC-in-C|website=Moneycontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095855/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/wire-news/-1939471.html|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/wire-news/-1939471.html|title=Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan takes over as SW command's new GOC-in-C|website=Moneycontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095855/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/wire-news/-1939471.html|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|6
|Arun Kumar Sahani
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Arun K Sahni {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 January 2014
|1 January 2014
|31 January 2016
|31 January 2016
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sw-army-commander-arun-kumar-sahni-retires/1/584225.html|title=SW Army Commander Arun Kumar Sahni retires|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029205148/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sw-army-commander-arun-kumar-sahni-retires/1/584225.html|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/change-of-guard-at-southwestern-command-of-army/article5523881.ece|title=Change of guard at South-Western command of Army|last=Singh|first=Mahim Pratap|date=2014-01-01|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029205148/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/change-of-guard-at-southwestern-command-of-army/article5523881.ece|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://netindian.in/news/2013/12/13/00027087/lt-gen-arun-kumar-sahni-designated-goc-c-south-western-command|title=Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni designated as GOC-in-C, South Western Command {{!}} NetIndian|date=2013-12-13|website=netindian.in|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095826/http://netindian.in/news/2013/12/13/00027087/lt-gen-arun-kumar-sahni-designated-goc-c-south-western-command|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://netindian.in/news/2013/12/13/00027087/lt-gen-arun-kumar-sahni-designated-goc-c-south-western-command|title=Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni designated as GOC-in-C, South Western Command {{!}} NetIndian|date=2013-12-13|website=netindian.in|language=en|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024095826/http://netindian.in/news/2013/12/13/00027087/lt-gen-arun-kumar-sahni-designated-goc-c-south-western-command|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|7
|[[Sarath Chand]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Sarath Chand]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 February 2016
|1 February 2016
|12 January 2017
|12 January 2017
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-gen-sarath-chand-new-goc-in-c-of-south-western-command/1/584886.html|title=Lt Gen Sarath Chand new GOC-in C of South Western Command|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202113914/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-gen-sarath-chand-new-goc-in-c-of-south-western-command/1/584886.html|archive-date=2 February 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/lt-gen-sarath-chand-new-goc-in-c-of-south-western-command-547479-2016-02-01|title=Lt Gen Sarath Chand new GOC-in C of South Western Command|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202113914/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-gen-sarath-chand-new-goc-in-c-of-south-western-command/1/584886.html|archive-date=2 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|8
|[[Abhay Krishna]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Abhay Krishna]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|25 January 2017
|25 January 2017
|31 July 2017
|31 July 2017
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|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-abhay-krishna-takes-over-armys-south-western-command/articleshow/56783300.cms|title=Lt Gen Abhay Krishna takes over Army's South Western Command|date=2017|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024111120/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-abhay-krishna-takes-over-armys-south-western-command/articleshow/56783300.cms|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-abhay-krishna-takes-over-armys-south-western-command/articleshow/56783300.cms|title=Lt Gen Abhay Krishna takes over Army's South Western Command|date=2017|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024111120/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-abhay-krishna-takes-over-armys-south-western-command/articleshow/56783300.cms|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|9
|[[Cherish Mathson]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Cherish Mathson]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|SM|VSM}}}}
|1 August 2017
|1 August 2017
|31 August 2019
|31 August 2019
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/210717/lieutenant-general-cherish-mathson-to-head-army-command.html|title=Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson to head army command|date=2017-07-21|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-10-24|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100511/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/210717/lieutenant-general-cherish-mathson-to-head-army-command.html|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/02/lt-gen-cherish-mathson-takes-over-armys-south-western-command-1637128.html|title=Lt Gen Cherish Mathson takes over Army's South Western Command|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121715/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/02/lt-gen-cherish-mathson-takes-over-armys-south-western-command-1637128.html|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-mathson-relinquishes-command-of-sapta-shakti-command-in-jaipur/india/news/1715031.html|title=Lt Gen Mathson relinquishes command of Sapta Shakti Command in Jaipur|date=2019-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/sapta-shakti-command-chief-mathson-retires/articleshow/70929699.cms|title=Sapta Shakti Command chief Cherish Mathson retires|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2019-09-01}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/02/lt-gen-cherish-mathson-takes-over-armys-south-western-command-1637128.html|title=Lt Gen Cherish Mathson takes over Army's South Western Command|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121715/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/02/lt-gen-cherish-mathson-takes-over-armys-south-western-command-1637128.html|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|10
|[[Alok Singh Kler]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Alok Singh Kler]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 September 2019
|1 September 2019
|31 March 2021
|31 March 2021
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|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/kler-is-new-chief-of-sapta-shakti-command/articleshow/70940397.cms|title=Kler is new chief of Sapta Shakti Command|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2019-09-01}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/kler-is-new-chief-of-sapta-shakti-command/articleshow/70940397.cms|title=Kler is new chief of Sapta Shakti Command|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2019-09-01}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|11
|[[Amardeep Singh Bhinder]]
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Amardeep Singh Bhinder]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VSM}}}}
|1 April 2021
|1 April 2021
|''Incumbent''
|28 February 2023
|[[Deccan Horse|The Deccan Horse]]
|[[Deccan Horse|The Deccan Horse]]
|<ref name=bhinder>{{cite web |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-yogendra-dimri-appointed-as-next-commander-in-chief-of-lucknow-based-central-army-command20210227121926/|title=Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri appointed as next Commander-in-chief of Lucknow-based Central Army Command|publisher=ANI News|date=27 February 2021|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>
|<ref name=bhinder>{{cite web |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-yogendra-dimri-appointed-as-next-commander-in-chief-of-lucknow-based-central-army-command20210227121926/|title=Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri appointed as next Commander-in-chief of Lucknow-based Central Army Command|publisher=ANI News|date=27 February 2021|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|12
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[B. S. Raju]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM|YSM}}}}
|1 March 2023
|31 October 2023
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-approves-top-appointments-in-the-indian-army/article66516666.ece|title=Lt. Gen. Raju shifted, new Vice-Chief named|date=16 February 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
|13
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dhiraj Seth]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|UYSM|AVSM}}}}
|1 November 2023
|30 June 2024
|[[2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-01 |title=Lt General Dhiraj Seth takes over as South Western Army chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lt-general-dhiraj-seth-takes-over-as-south-western-army-chief-101698852093671.html |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|14
|[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Manjinder Singh (general)|Manjinder Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|YSM|VSM|}}}}
|1 July 2024
|''Incumbent''
|[[Madras Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lt Gen Manjinder Singh assumes charge of South-Western Command |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/lt-gen-manjinder-singh-assumes-charge-of-south-western-command-1503315595.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref>
|}
|}


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[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2005]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2005]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Long stubs with short prose]]




{{India-mil-stub}}
{{India-mil-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:43, 25 January 2026


South Western Command
Insignia of the South Western Command
Active15 April 2005 - Present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeCommand
Garrison/HQJaipur, Rajasthan
Nickname(s)Sapta Shakti Command
Motto(s)Sarvada Vijayee Bhava
transl. 'Forever Victorious'
Commanders
GOC-in-CLt Gen Manjinder Singh, PVSM AVSM YSM VSM
Insignia
Flag

The South Western Command of the Indian Army was established on 15 April 2005 and became fully operational on 15 August 2005. It was established in response to the emerging threats and opportunities on the Western Indo-Pak border and is headquartered at Jaipur, Rajasthan.[1]

Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh is the current GOCinC, SWC who took over on 1 July 2024.[2]

History and Role[edit | edit source]

The South Western Command of the Indian Army was formally raised on 15 April 2005 as the seventh operational command, with its headquarters established at Jaipur Military Station in Rajasthan with Lieutenant General Krishnamurthy Nagaraj taking over as the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. This creation involved carving out sectors from the existing Western Command to enhance dedicated oversight of the arid western frontier, responding to evolving security dynamics along the Indo-Pak border.[3] The South Western Command is operationally responsible for the defence of Southern Punjab and Northern Rajasthan.[4]

Structure[edit | edit source]

Currently, the South Western Command has been assigned operational units under:- X Corps and 42nd Artillery Division. The command in total has following units under its belt:- 3 infantry divisions (1 for Mountain warfare), 1 armoured division, 1 artillery division, 2 Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division (RAPID), 1 armoured brigade, 1 Air-defence brigade, and 1 engineering brigade.

In 2021, except the 33 Armoured Division all the units of I Corps was transferred to Northern Command to focus on the Sino-Indian border at Ladakh.

Structure of South-Western Command
Corp Corp HQ GOC of Corps

(Corps Commander)

Assigned Units Unit HQ
X Corps

(Chetak Corps)

Bathinda, Punjab Lt Gen Shamsher Singh Virk 16 Infantry Division Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan
18 RAPID Division Kota, Rajasthan
24 RAPID Division Bikaner, Rajasthan
6 (Independent) Armoured Brigade Bhatinda, Punjab
615 Air-defence Brigade Agra, Uttar Pradesh
471 Engineering Brigade N/A
N/A N/A N/A 42 Artillery Division Jaipur, Rajasthan
N/A N/A N/A 33 Armoured Division Hisar, Haryana

List of Commanders[edit | edit source]

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Command
S.No Name Assumed office Left office Unit of Commission References
1 Lieutenant General Krishnamurthy Nagaraj PVSM, UYSM, ADC, 15 April 2005 31 July 2006 Maratha Light Infantry [5]
2 Lieutenant General Parmendra Kumar Singh PVSM, AVSM 1 August 2006 31 July 2008 Regiment of Artillery [6][7]
3 Lieutenant General Chanroth Kunnumal Suchindra Sabu PVSM, AVSM, VSM 1 September 2008 30 November 2010 Regiment of Artillery [8][6]
4 Lieutenant General Shri Krishna Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM 1 December 2010 31 October 2011 8th Gorkha Rifles [9]
5 Lieutenant General Gyan Bhushan PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM 1 November 2011 31 December 2013 Mahar Regiment [10]
6 Lieutenant General Arun K Sahni PVSM, SM, VSM 1 January 2014 31 January 2016 Regiment of Artillery [11]
7 Lieutenant General Sarath Chand PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM 1 February 2016 12 January 2017 Garhwal Rifles [12]
8 Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM 25 January 2017 31 July 2017 Rajputana Rifles [13]
9 Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson PVSM, SM, VSM 1 August 2017 31 August 2019 Garhwal Rifles [14]
10 Lieutenant General Alok Singh Kler PVSM, VSM 1 September 2019 31 March 2021 68 Armoured Regiment [15]
11 Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Bhinder PVSM, AVSM, VSM 1 April 2021 28 February 2023 The Deccan Horse [16]
12 Lieutenant General B. S. Raju PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM 1 March 2023 31 October 2023 Jat Regiment [17]
13 Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth PVSM, UYSM, AVSM 1 November 2023 30 June 2024 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) [18]
14 Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM 1 July 2024 Incumbent Madras Regiment [19]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "South Western Command". indianarmy.nic.in.
  2. ↑ "Lt Gen Singh takes over reins of South Western Command". The Times of India. 2 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "India - Army South Western Command". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "All About South Western (Sapta Shakti) Command: Forever Victorious". 24 September 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "PressReader - the Times of India (New Delhi edition): 2008-09-01 - New GOC-in-chief of South Western Command". Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017 – via PressReader.
  7. ↑ "Sainik Samachar". Archived from the original on 24 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Jharkhand | School gets new campus". telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  9. ↑ "Lt Gen S K Singh takes over as Army SW Command chief". Deccan Herald. 3 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  10. ↑ "Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan takes over as SW command's new GOC-in-C". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  11. ↑ "Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni designated as GOC-in-C, South Western Command | NetIndian". netindian.in. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Lt Gen Sarath Chand new GOC-in C of South Western Command". Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "Lt Gen Abhay Krishna takes over Army's South Western Command". The Economic Times. 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  14. ↑ "Lt Gen Cherish Mathson takes over Army's South Western Command". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "Kler is new chief of Sapta Shakti Command". The Times of India. 1 September 2019.
  16. ↑ "Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri appointed as next Commander-in-chief of Lucknow-based Central Army Command". ANI News. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Lt. Gen. Raju shifted, new Vice-Chief named". The Hindu. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "Lt General Dhiraj Seth takes over as South Western Army chief". Hindustan Times. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  19. ↑ Service, Statesman News (1 July 2024). "Lt Gen Manjinder Singh assumes charge of South-Western Command". The Statesman. Retrieved 1 July 2024.

References[edit | edit source]

  • Richard A. Renaldi and Ravi Rikhe, 'Indian Army Order of Battle,' Orbat.com for Tiger Lily Books: A division of General Data LLC, ISBN 978-0-9820541-7-8, 2011.


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