Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja Assumes Command as Director of AFMC, Pune

Wanowrie, 11th July 2024: Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM assumed the prestigious appointment of Director & Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, on 11 July 2024. An esteemed alumnus of AFMC, Lt Gen Thareja’s exemplary career in the Indian Army began with his commission in 1986.

Lt Gen Thareja holds an MD in Medicine from Army Hospital (R & R), New Delhi (1997), and a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi (2005), where he was honored as the best DM student. Further enhancing his credentials, he earned an M.Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College, New Delhi, in 2018.

Throughout his 37-year career, he has held numerous distinguished academic, clinical, and administrative roles. His notable positions include Medical Specialist at the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Senior Advisor (Medicine) & Gastroenterology at various military hospitals, and Commandant of the Command Hospital (Central Command). His administrative prowess was particularly evident during his tenure as Brigadier IC Adm and Cdr Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, where he led exceptional healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he was instrumental in the rapid preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new Command Hospital.

Before his current appointment, General Thareja served as Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, New Delhi. Here, he played a critical role in shaping key healthcare policies, including the Armed Forces Cancer Registry, Guide to Medical Officers, Disability Pension Board, Agniveer Medical Policy, Common Tri-service Medical Classification for Disabilities, Biosensors, Performance Audit of Military Hospitals, and Genomic Sequencing in the Armed Forces.

As an avid teacher and mentor, General Thareja has guided numerous postgraduate and super specialty students and boasts over 50 scientific publications in prestigious international and national medical journals.

In recognition of his dedication and exceptional services, General Thareja has been awarded the ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ twice, in 2011 and 2024, and the ‘Sena Medal’ in 2022.

The Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, welcomes Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja in his new appointment and looks forward to his leadership in continuing its tradition of excellence in medical education and healthcare services.

Lieutenant General Daljit Singh, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), congratulates Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja on his new appointment and expresses his confidence that AFMC, Pune, will reach new heights under his able leadership.