Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi Appointed Next Chief of Indian Army

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
New Delhi, 11th June 2024: The Government has appointed Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff, effective from the afternoon of June 30, 2024. He will succeed Gen. Manoj C. Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who will retire on the same date.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Infantry (Jammu & Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. His distinguished career spans nearly 40 years, during which he has held a variety of command, staff, instructional, and foreign appointments. His command roles include leading the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment, 26 Sector Assam Rifles Brigade, serving as Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), and commanding the 9 Corps.

As a Lt. Gen., Dwivedi has held significant positions such as Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024, before being appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Lt. Gen. Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, National Defence College, and the US Army War College. He has also attended courses at DSSC Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow. Additionally, he was conferred the title of ‘Distinguished Fellow’ during the NDC-equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. He holds an M.Phil. in Defence & Management Studies and two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.

Throughout his career, Lt. Gen. Dwivedi has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.