Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad takes charge as AFMC Pune Commandant
Synopsis
Four senior military medical and defence appointments were announced on 1 September, with Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad — a WHO Fellow in Neuro-Anaesthesiology and decorated naval officer with 37 years of service — taking the helm at AFMC Pune, India's apex tri-services medical college.
Key Takeaways
Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad assumed charge as Director and Commandant, AFMC Pune on 1 September .
He brings over 37 years of military medical experience, including command of INHS Asvini, Mumbai and INHS Sanjivani, Kochi .
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja became the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) .
Lieutenant General I.S.
Panjrath assumed charge as Director General of Army Air Defence, New Delhi .
Honwad was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 and the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation in 2006 and 2013 .
Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad assumed charge as Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune on Tuesday, 1 September, marking a new chapter for one of India's premier military medical institutions. The Flag Officer brings over 37 years of distinguished service across clinical, academic, and administrative roles in the Indian Navy's medical corps.
Key Appointments Across Services
In a series of senior military appointments announced on the same day, Lieutenant General I.S. Panjrath assumed charge as Director General of Army Air Defence in New Delhi. Upon taking office, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja took over as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), while Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb assumed the role of Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Honwad's Academic and Clinical Background
Surgeon Vice Admiral Honwad completed his MBBS from AFMC in 1989 and subsequently earned an MD in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine from the same institution in 1998. He is a WHO Fellow in Neuro-Anaesthesiology from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.
The Flag Officer is also an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, where he was awarded an M.Phil in Public Administration. He holds the distinction of being a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH), USA, and has been an international speaker on healthcare simulation at numerous national and international conferences.
Career Highlights and Command Tenures
Over his 37-year career, Honwad has held several high-profile postings, including Additional Director General Medical Services (Navy) at Naval Headquarters, Commanding Officer of INHS Sanjivani, Kochi, and Commanding Officer of INHS Asvini, Mumbai — the Navy's largest hospital — before his elevation to AFMC's top post.
His expertise in anaesthesiology, critical care, and healthcare simulation places him at the intersection of clinical excellence and institutional leadership, a combination well-suited to leading a college that trains military medical officers across all three services.
Honours and Commendations
In recognition of his dedication to patient care and service, Honwad was conferred the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025. He also received the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation twice — in 2006 and 2013 — along with the FOC-in-C (South) Commendation in 2007 and the FOC-in-C (West) Commendation in 2011.
The DGAFMS, on behalf of all ranks of the Armed Forces Medical Services, conveyed best wishes to the Flag Officer for a successful tenure as Director and Commandant of AFMC, Pune. His appointment signals continuity in the institution's focus on advancing military medical education and simulation-based training.
Point of View
Simulation educator, and commander of the Navy's two largest hospitals, he arrives at AFMC with credentials that span clinical depth and institutional management. The real question is whether his expertise in healthcare simulation will translate into a curriculum push at AFMC, which trains officers across all three services and remains the benchmark for military medical education in South Asia. Leadership transitions at institutions like AFMC rarely make headlines, but they quietly shape the quality of battlefield medicine for a generation.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad?
Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad is a senior Indian Navy medical officer who assumed charge as Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune on 1 September. He has over 37 years of military medical experience and is a WHO Fellow in Neuro-Anaesthesiology from NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
What is the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune?
The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune is India's premier tri-services military medical institution, responsible for training medical officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is one of the most competitive medical colleges in the country and functions under the Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services.
Who became the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services?
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja assumed the appointment of the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) as part of the same round of senior military appointments announced on 1 September.
What awards has Surgeon Vice Admiral Honwad received?
Honwad was conferred the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025. He also received the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation in 2006 and 2013, the FOC-in-C (South) Commendation in 2007, and the FOC-in-C (West) Commendation in 2011.
What other senior military appointments were announced on 1 September?
Alongside Honwad's appointment, Lieutenant General I.S. Panjrath took charge as Director General of Army Air Defence in New Delhi, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja became the 47th DGAFMS, and Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb assumed the role of Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force.
