New Delhi: The appointment of Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi as the next Chief of the Army Staff was announced by the government on June 11. He will assume office on June 30, 2024. Currently Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he will succeed incumbent General Manoj Pande, whose tenure was extended by one month till June 30.   

The defence ministry said, “The government has appointed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of June 30.”

In appointing Lt Gen Dwivedi, the government followed the seniority principle. Lt Gen Dwivedi has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi joined the Indian Army on December 15, 1984, in the Infantry division (Jammu & Kashmir Rifles). During his long service, spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff, Instructional and Foreign appointments. The Command appointments of Lt Gen Dwivedi include Command of Regiment (18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.

In his role as a Lieutenant General, Dwivedi held key positions such as Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024. Most recently, he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, a position that further showcased his leadership skills. According to officials, Lt Gen Dwivedi as Northern Army commander, provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating the dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. During this period, the officer was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China to resolve the vexed border issue, they said. He was also involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College, and the US Army War College, Lt Gen Dwivedi also completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow. He was honoured as a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at the US Army War College in Carlisle, USA. Additionally, he holds an MPhil in Defence and Management Studies, along with master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.

Lt Gen Dwivedi has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and three General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Commendation Cards.

With his extensive experience and distinguished service, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi is well-suited to lead the Indian Army. His leadership is expected to ensure continued excellence and readiness in the nation’s defence forces.