New Delhi: As the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi on June 30 took charge after incumbent General Manoj Pande retired from service.
General Dwivedi was serving as the Vice Chief of the Army and has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan.
General Dwivedi was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022-2024 before taking charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on February 19.
Taking charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time when India is facing various security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, General Dwivedi will also have to coordinate with the Navy and the Indian Air Force on the government’s ambitious plan to roll out theatre commands.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. He commanded the unit later.
In his long and distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments. The command appointments of Gen Dwivedi include command of regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
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, according to officials.
During this period, the officer was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China in resolving the vexed border issue, they said.
Actively involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army command of the Indian Army, Gen Dwivedi steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
