The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) bid farewell to Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, on his superannuation on August 31, 2026, marking the culmination of a distinguished military career spanning more than four decades.
Lt Gen Sharma, who assumed command of ARTRAC on July 1, 2024, was commissioned into the 14th Horse (Scinde Horse) on December 19, 1987. Over the course of his career, he held a range of important command and staff appointments across operational and training environments, including command of an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry division and Vajra Corps.
His career also included significant operational and international assignments. As a young officer, he served in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Rakshak and was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry. He subsequently served as an instructor at the National Defence Academy, as Staff Officer Operations with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and as Chief Military Personnel Officer with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Before taking over as GOC-in-C, ARTRAC, Lt Gen Sharma served as Chief of Staff of Western Command and earlier commanded Vajra Corps. His operational experience across conventional, counter-insurgency and high-altitude environments contributed to his broader understanding of evolving battlefield requirements.
During his tenure at the helm of ARTRAC, Lt Gen Sharma focused on preparing the Indian Army for an increasingly complex and technology-driven operational environment. Under his leadership, the command contributed to the formulation of key military doctrines and strengthened the institutional framework for future-oriented training and capability development.
A major focus of his tenure was the absorption of emerging and disruptive technologies. ARTRAC institutionalised drone and counter-drone training on a significant scale while promoting greater awareness and adoption of technology across military training establishments. Modern training infrastructure was also developed to strengthen the intellectual, professional and technological foundation of the Army.
The initiatives undertaken during his tenure sought to ensure that training remained closely aligned with the changing character of warfare, where unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, information dominance, counter-drone capabilities and other emerging technologies are increasingly shaping battlefield outcomes.
As part of the farewell programme, the Army Commander paid a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers at Shradhanjali Sthal, followed by a ceremonial Guard of Honour. The proceedings marked a formal acknowledgement of Lt Gen Sharma’s service and leadership at ARTRAC.
Lt Gen Sharma’s service has been recognised with some of the Indian Army’s highest military decorations. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, in addition to the Sena Medal for gallantry. He has also received the Central Army Commander’s Commendation Card and UN Force Commander’s Appreciation.
His academic and professional military education includes the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management and the Indian Institute of Public Administration. During his training at the Indian Military Academy, he was awarded the Sword of Honour for standing first in overall merit. He also received the Chief of Army Staff Trophy for standing first in overall order of merit during the Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management.
Lt Gen Devendra Sharma’s tenure at ARTRAC leaves behind an emphasis on professional military education, doctrinal evolution, technology-enabled training and preparedness for future warfare. His retirement marks the conclusion of a career defined by operational experience, institutional leadership and continued commitment to modernising the Indian Army’s training architecture.
