Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, AVSM, assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command on October 1, 2026, marking the beginning of his tenure at the helm of Surya Command.
On assuming command, Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra paid solemn homage to the Bravehearts at Smritika War Memorial, Lucknow Military Station, honouring their courage and supreme sacrifice. He thereafter reviewed the Guard of Honour during a solemn ceremonial parade.
The Army Commander reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness across Central Command. He also emphasised enhancing strategic responsiveness and strengthening multi-domain capabilities across the theatre.
Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra extended his greetings and best wishes to all ranks, Veer Naris, Veterans, Defence Civilian Employees and families of Surya Command. He recognised their steadfast contribution to the strength and spirit of the Command and reaffirmed his commitment towards their welfare, morale and professional growth.
He also called for a continued pursuit of excellence across the Command, with emphasis on maintaining a high level of preparedness to meet emerging challenges.
Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra was commissioned into the Grenadiers from the Indian Military Academy on June 10, 1989. In a military career spanning more than three decades, he has held various command and staff appointments.
He has commanded an Infantry Battalion, Infantry Brigade and Infantry Division along the Line of Control in Northern Jammu and Kashmir and the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. His instructional appointments have included service as an instructor at the Commando School, Belgaum, and Chief Instructor (Army) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
He has also served as a Squadron Commander in the National Security Guard and as Colonel General Staff in the Faculty of Studies at the Army War College.
After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in 2023, Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra assumed command of I Corps on June 9, 2023. He relinquished the command on June 17, 2025, and subsequently moved to Army Headquarters as Director General of Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement.
He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and has also received Chief of Army Staff and Army Commander Commendations.
With Lt Gen Sanjay Mitra assuming command, Central Command enters a new chapter under his leadership. The Army Commander reiterated the Command’s commitment to remaining mission-ready, soldier-centric and prepared to meet challenges across the operational spectrum.
His assumption of command also marks the continuation of the Command’s focus on operational preparedness, strategic responsiveness, multi-domain capabilities and the welfare and professional development of its personnel and families.
