General Upendra Dwivedi assumed command of the Indian Army on Sunday afternoon, succeeding General Manoj Pande, who completed a 26-month tenure as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). The government, in a swift and decisive move, announced Dwivedi’s appointment as India’s next Army Chief on 11th May, within hours after the new government was formed on 9th June, putting to rest all speculation sparked off by last month’s decision to give a month-long extension to Gen Manoj Pande, who was to retire on 31st May.
Gen Dwivedi hails from Madhya Pradesh and has studied at Sainik School Rewa (MP) like the current Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. He joined the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) in January 1981. He was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on 15 December 1984, which he later commanded in the Kashmir valley and the deserts of Rajasthan.
Before becoming the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), Lt Gen Dwivedi was the Northern Army Commander between 2022 and February 2024 during the ongoing standoff with the Chinese along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Lt Gen Dwivedi has also commanded the Yol-based, 9 Corps, also known as Rising Star Corps and has had the experience of leading Assam Rifles formations in the north-east both in the rank of a Brigadier and a Major General. His extensive experience in these various formations, along with his 39-year career and various staff appointments in headquarters Armoured Brigade, Mountain Division, and Strike Corps and at the Army HQ, demonstrate his adaptability and readiness for any challenge.
According to Indian Army sources, the general officer has a unique distinction of balanced exposure along Northern, Western, and Eastern theatres in varied terrain and operational environments, including deserts, high altitude, riverine, built areas, North East, Jammu, and Kashmir. His leadership roles in active counterterrorism operations in the Kashmir Valley and Rajasthan Deserts, as well as his service as IGAR (GOC) and Sector Commander Assam Rifles in intense CT Ops, highlight his strategic thinking and decision-making skills. He has also held various other Staff & Command appointments in the North East, where he pioneered the first-ever compendium on Indo-Myanmar border Management.
From 2022 to 2024, he commanded the Rising Star Corps along the Western Front and the prestigious Northern Army. He provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for sustained operations along the Northern and Western borders. He also orchestrated dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, he played a key role in modernising and equipping the largest Command of the Indian Army by steering the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
As the DG Infantry, he steered and fast-tracked capital procurement cases of weapons for all three services, leading to significant and visible capability enhancement for our Armed Forces. His role as Deputy Chief, where he championed automation and the absorption of niche tech in the Indian Army, is particularly forward-thinking. He pushed for critical and emerging technologies like big data analytics, AI, quantum, and blockchain-based solutions, setting a new standard for technological advancement, said army sources.
The officer has an impressive academic record, demonstrating his intellectual strength and commitment. He has served in Somalia as part of HQ UNOSOM II and as a Military Advisor in Seychelles. Additionally, he has completed Staff College in Wellington and the Higher Command Course at AWC, Mhow. After finishing the NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA, he was also honoured with the’ Distinguished Fellow’ title. In addition to his military career, he holds a Phil in Defence & Management Studies and two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, one of which is from USAWC, USA. He has also authored and presented articles in various professional forums and journals.
Ravi Shankar
