Who Is Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, The New Indian Army Chief ?

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi is set to assume the role of the next Chief of the Indian Army on Sunday, succeeding Gen Manoj Pande, whose 26-month tenure has concluded. Lt Gen Dwivedi will become the 30th Chief of the Army Staff during a period of significant modernization and structural reforms within the force through indigenization.

Lt Gen Dwivedi has had an extensive tenure as the Northern Army Commander, gaining considerable experience with the ongoing operations in the military standoff at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The government appointed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi as the next Chief of the Army Staff, effective from the afternoon of June 30, 2024.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. His nearly 40-year-long and distinguished service includes a variety of Command, Staff, Instructional, and foreign appointments.

Lt Gen Dwivedi’s Command appointments include leading the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Battalion, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles brigade, serving as Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), and commanding the 9 Corps. As a Lieutenant General, he has held significant positions such as Director General of Infantry.

An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College, and the US Army War College, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has also completed courses at DSSC Wellington and Army War College, Mhow. Additionally, he was honored as a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the prestigious NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. He holds an M. Phil in Defence and Management Studies and two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.