DHARAMSHALA: Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed as the next Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding the incumbent General Manoj Pande. Lt Gen Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, is set to assume his new role upon Gen Pande’s retirement on June 30.
Lt Gen Dwivedi’s appointment carries added significance as he brings with him a wealth of experience and a distinguished military career spanning over four decades. Notably, he has commanded the Northern Command of the Indian Army, demonstrating his leadership acumen in one of the most strategically important regions of the country.
Commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Army on December 15, 1984, Lt Gen Dwivedi has served in a multitude of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments throughout his illustrious career. His tenure includes commanding the 18th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and leading the 9 Corps, headquartered at Yol near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, a crucial sector with dual tasks concerning China and Pakistan.
Lt Gen Dwivedi’s educational background is equally impressive, having graduated from prestigious institutions such as the Sainik School Rewa, the National Defence College, and the US Army War College.
He holds a MPhil in Defence and Management Studies, along with two master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science. His dedication and expertise have been recognized globally, as evidenced by his designation as a “Distinguished Fellow” at the US Army War College in Carlisle, US.
