Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has assumed the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 19 February 2024. The General had been tenanting the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command from 2022-2024
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into 18 JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES in 1984, a unit he later commanded..
During his career spanning across 39 years, he has held command appointments in challenging operational environments, spanning the length and breadth of the country. He commanded his unit in Kashmir Valley as well as in Rajasthan. He has been Sector Commander and Inspector General Assam Rifles in intense Counter Terrorism environment in the North East. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi commanded the Rising Star Corps with operational role along the Western Borders. He later commanded the prestigious Northern Army.
During his tenure as Army Commander, Northern Command, he was actively engaged in the negotiations with the Chinese in resolving the vexed border issue. He was also involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army Command of Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
As Director General Infantry, he had steered and fast-tracked capital procurement of weapons for the three services, leading to significant and visible capability enhancement for our Armed Forces. As Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System & Coordination), the General officer gave impetus to automation and absorption of niche technologies in the Indian Army.
The General officer has held instructional appointments to include tenures at Infantry School and Army War College, Mhow. The General officer’s two overseas tenures include Somalia, as part of HQ UNOSOM II and Seychelles as Military Advisor to the Govt of Seychelles.
The General officer has attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington & Higher Command Course at AWC, Mhow. The General officer was conferred ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the coveted NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. He has an M Phil in Defence & Management Studies, in addition to the two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science including one from USAWC, USA. The General officer has also authored / presented articles in various professional forums / journals. He has pioneered the first ever compendium on Indo – Myanmar eBorder Management.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi took over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, who now has been appointed as th General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command. He has rich experience in operations, intelligence, operational logistics, force structuring and modernisation initiatives.
