Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi Appointed as the Next Chief of the Army Staff

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi will take over as the Chief of the Army Staff on June 30, 2024, following the retirement of Gen Manoj Pande.

The Government of India has appointed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff. He will assume his new role on June 30, 2024, succeeding General Manoj Pande. Gen Pande, who was initially set to retire on May 31, had his term extended by a month due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Background and Career Highlights

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi was born on July 1, 1964. He was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. His nearly four-decade-long career includes a range of command, staff, instructional, and foreign assignments.

Key Command Positions:

• Commanded the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment
• Led the 26 Sector Assam Rifles Brigade
• Served as Deputy Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East)
• Commanded the 9 Corps

Awards and Recognitions

Lt Gen Dwivedi has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and three General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Commendation Cards for his distinguished service.

Educational Background

An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College, and the US Army War College, Lt Gen Dwivedi has a strong academic background. He has completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) Wellington and the Army War College, Mhow. Additionally, he holds an MPhil in Defence & Management Studies and two Master's degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science. He was also honored as a 'Distinguished Fellow' at the US Army War College in Carlisle, USA.

Recent Positions

Before becoming the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Dwivedi served as the Director General of Infantry and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.

Conclusion

With his extensive experience and distinguished service record, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi is well-prepared to take on the role of Chief of the Army Staff. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the Indian Army, and his leadership is expected to continue the legacy of excellence established by his predecessors.