General Upendra Dwivedi has officially taken over as the new Chief of the Indian Army. This transition follows the retirement of General Manoj C Pande on June 30th. Dwivedi, who previously served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, has now stepped into the top position, leading the Indian Army.
Background and Previous Roles
Before his promotion, General Dwivedi held several key positions within the Indian Army. Notably, he served as the Chief of the Army’s Northern Command, which oversees operations in Jammu and Kashmir and along the strategic borders with Pakistan and China in Ladakh. His extensive experience and leadership in these critical areas have prepared him for this significant role.
Announcement and Historical Significance
The Union government announced Dwivedi’s appointment as the Army chief on June 11th. Interestingly, General Dwivedi and the current Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, are both alumni of Sainik School Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. This marks the first time in Indian military history that the Chiefs of both the Army and the Navy hail from the same school, a remarkable coincidence.
A Distinguished Military Career
Born on July 1, 1964, General Dwivedi has a decorated military career spanning nearly four decades. He was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984. Over the years, he has commanded units at various levels, including the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles battalion, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles brigade, and the 9 Corps of the Indian Army. His leadership roles have extended from the battalion level to major commands, demonstrating his broad experience and capability.
Notable Commands and Leadership Roles
General Dwivedi’s significant appointments include:
- Commanding the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles regiment.
- Leading the 26 Sector Assam Rifles brigade.
- Serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Assam Rifles (East).
- Commanding the 9 Corps of the Indian Army.
- Serving as the Director General of Infantry and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command.
- His last role before becoming the Army chief was as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, a position he held since June 30th.
Educational and Professional Background
General Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College, and the US Army War College. He has also completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow. His international training includes a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ designation from the US Army War College, reflecting his esteemed standing in military education and leadership.
Historical Context of Army Chiefs
The new Army Chief, General Dwivedi, follows in the footsteps of notable predecessors with significant experience in commanding the Northern Command. The last Army chief with a similar background was General Deepak Kapoor, who served as the Army Chief from October 1, 2007, to March 31, 2010. In recent years, however, many Army Chiefs have had experience in the Eastern Command, based in Kolkata. This trend includes generals like Vijay Kumar Singh, Bikram Singh, Dalbir Singh Suhag, and Bipin Rawat, all of whom had notable tenures leading the Eastern Command before becoming the Army Chief.
General Upendra Dwivedi’s appointment as the Chief of the Indian Army signifies a continuation of strong leadership within the Indian military. His extensive experience, both in combat and strategic roles, positions him well to navigate the challenges and responsibilities that come with this prestigious role. As the new Army chief, he will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian Army and ensuring the security and defense of the nation.
(With inputs from agencies)
