Who is Lt Gen IS Rathore? An IMA graduate with extensive operational and technical experience becomes the 43rd Commander of MCEME

Lt Gen (Lt) Gen IS Rathore has taken over as the 43rd Commandant, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad, Hyderabad with effect from 1 November 2026.

He succeeded Lt. Gen. Neeraj Varshney, who was the 42nd commander of MCEME. Varshney was on superannuation on 31 October 2026.

“MCEME welcomes the Director General and looks forward to his leadership in furthering the institution’s pursuit of professional excellence and technological advancement,” said the PRO, Hyderabad, Ministry of Defence, while announcing his appointment at X on Sunday, November 1.

Meanwhile, Army Training Command, Indian Army, also posted on X: “#GOCinC ARTRAC & All Ranks extend their best wishes to Lt Gen Neeraj Varshney, AVSM, VSM #Commandant, MCEME on his retirement on 31 Oct 2026 & congratulate Lt Gen 2026.”

Who is Lt Gen IS Rathore?

An Indian Military Academy (IMA) graduate, Lt Gen IS Rathore brings with him a wealth of operational, technical and professional experience, according to a PRO statement.

He is married to Seema Rathore, an educationist, and has two children. His son is serving as an officer in the Indian Army. His daughter, married to an Indian Army officer, is pursuing a career in sports nutrition.

Lt Gen Rathore’s appointment comes at a time when the Indian Army is focusing on domestic defense capabilities, technological modernization and integration of advanced technologies into military operations.

In this regard, Lt Gen Rathore’s operational and technical background is expected to support MCEME’s efforts to enhance training standards and prepare personnel for evolving technological challenges, the release added.

About MCEME

Army College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, located in Secunderabad, Telangana, is one of the premier technical training institutions of the Indian Army.

It plays a key role in developing the technical expertise of Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers (EME) personnel, with a particular emphasis on the maintenance, repair and management of sophisticated military equipment and systems.

According to the Indian Army MCEME, Secunderabad has been a “cradle of excellence” since its inception. It says: “The school trains all ranks in the various technical fields of electronics and communication engineering.”