Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi To Succeed General Manoj Pande As Indian Army Chief: All You Need To Know About Him

The government announced on Tuesday (11 June) that Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi will take over as the Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June, following General Manoj Pande's retirement.

General Pande, who was originally set to retire at the end of May, received a one-month extension and has been serving as Army chief since 30 April 2022.

Lt General Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, will officially assume command on the afternoon of 30 June.

He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.

Born in 1964, Lt General Dwivedi was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, on 15 December 1984.

Over his 40-year career, he has held numerous significant roles, including commanding the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles regiment, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles brigade, and serving as Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East) and commander of the 9 Corps.

In his capacity as a Lt General, Dwivedi has also served as Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024, before being appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

The government's decision to appoint Lt General Dwivedi comes at a time when the Indian Army is focusing on modernisation and strategic readiness amidst regional security challenges.

An alumnus of the Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College and US Army War College, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has also undergone courses at the DSSC Wellington and Army War College, Mhow.

In addition, he was conferred 'Distinguished Fellow' in the coveted NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA.

He also has an M Phil in Defence and Management Studies and two Master's Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.

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