Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed the next Chief of the Indian Army, one of the largest military forces in the world. He will assume the role from General Manoj C Pande on June 30, succeeding his current position as Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
Here are five key facts about Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi:
1.Early Life and Education: Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, the National Defence College, and the US Army War College. He holds an MPhil in Defence and Management Studies and two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
2. Military Commission: He was commissioned into the Infantry (Jammu & Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984.
3. Distinguished Service: Over his 40-year career, Lt Gen Dwivedi has held numerous key positions, including Command of the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles Brigade, Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), and the 9 Corps.
4. Leadership Roles : As a Lieutenant General, he served as the Director General of Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief (Headquarters Northern Command) from 2022 to 2024 before becoming the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
5. Awards and Honors: Lt Gen Dwivedi has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards. He was also named a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the prestigious NDC equivalent course at the US Army War College.