Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra, a decorated officer with the AVSM and SM, has assumed charge of the South Western Command headquartered in Jaipur.
Key Developments
- Assumption of command as GOC‑in‑C of South Western Command.
- Previous role: Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Command, where he enhanced operational readiness.
- Career spans over 37 years, including command of an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Armoured Division, the Desert Corps, and deployments in the Siachen Glacier.
- Academic credentials: Two Master’s degrees in Defence Studies (one from King’s College, London) and two M‑Phil degrees in Political Science & Defence & Strategic Studies.
- Professional courses: Advanced Command and Staff Course (UK), Higher Air Command Course, and the National Defence College.
Important Facts
The officer’s extensive experience covers:
- Operational planning across multi‑domain theatres.
- Military intelligence, logistics, personnel management, and strategic communications.
- Technology absorption and modernisation of combat units.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the profile of senior military leaders helps aspirants in GS2: Polity (defence administration, civil‑military relations) and GS1: History (evolution of India’s armed forces). The command’s geographic focus links to GS3: Geography & Security – especially the western frontier with Pakistan. Awards like