Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi:Â General Upendra Dwivedi took charge as the new Army Chief on Sunday (30 June). General Dwivedi is the 30th Army Chief. He became the Vice Chief of Army Staff on 19 February this year. On becoming the Army Chief, Dwivedi has been promoted from Lieutenant General to General rank.
The Government of India had announced his appointment as Army Chief on the night of June 11. Prior to this, he has served as Vice Chief of Army, Northern Army Commander, DG Infantry and head of several other commands in the Army.
General Dwivedi has replaced General Manoj Pandey as Army Chief. General Manoj Pandey retired today. He was given a guard of honour by the Army on his last working day. He was the Army Chief for 26 months.
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Manoj Pandey was given a one-month extension
Retired General Manoj Pandey was to retire on May 31. However, the government had extended his tenure by one month last month. The announcement of giving him an extension was made on May 25. Generally, such decisions are not taken in the army.
This move had led to speculations that General Dwivedi might be overlooked for the top post in the army. But with the government’s announcement, all these speculations came to an end.
Seniority concept followed in appointment
Before being made Army Chief, General Dwivedi was on the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff. The government looked at seniority in his appointment. After General Dwivedi, the most senior officer is Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh. Both General Dwivedi and Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh were to retire on 30 June.
The chiefs of the three services can serve till the age of 62 or three years, whichever is earlier. However, the retirement age of officers of the rank of Lieutenant General is 60 years, unless the officer is approved for four-star rank.
General Dwivedi has been working on the use of technology in the army
Being passionate about the use of technology, General Dwivedi worked towards expanding the technical boundaries of all ranks in the Northern Command. He promoted critical and emerging technologies such as big data analytics, AI, quantum and blockchain-based solutions.
General Dwivedi was also posted abroad
During his two foreign tenures, General Dwivedi was a part of Somalia Headquarters UNOSOM II. He also worked as a military advisor to the Seychelles government. General Dwivedi also attended the High Command Syllabus at Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and AWC, Mhow.
He was awarded Distinguished Fellow at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. He holds an MPhil degree in Defence and Management Studies. Also holds two master’s degrees in Military Science, one of which is from USAWC USA.
Who is the new Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi?
Born on July 1, 1964, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Indian Army Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) on December 15, 1984. During his long and distinguished service of nearly 40 years, he has served in various command, staff, training and overseas appointments.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi’s command appointments include command of a regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps. Prior to his appointment as Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Dwivedi has held important positions including Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief (HQ Northern Command) from 2022-2024.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was appointed Deputy Army Chief on 15 February this year. He commanded a battalion in Chowkibal during Operation Rakshak. Lieutenant General Dwivedi has a deep understanding of the challenges posed by China and Pakistan, as he has held responsibility for two years as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command.
An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defense College and US Army War College, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has also studied at DSSC Wellington and Army War College, Mhow. In addition, Lt Gen has been awarded ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at the prestigious NDC Equivalent Course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA.Â
Lieutenant General Dwivedi holds two postgraduate degrees – M Phil in Defence and Management Studies and one in Strategic Studies and Military Science. He has also been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and three GOC-in-C commendation cards.
