Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi assumed office as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff on June 30. He succeeded Gen. Manoj Pande, who was retiring from the post. Gen. Dwivedi brings immense operational experience along India's frontiers with China and Pakistan to the post. He was the Vice Chief of the Army before taking up the top post. Prior to becoming Vice Chief, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
Assuming command of the 1.3 million-strong Army during times of considerable security challenges, most especially along the Line of Actual Control with China, Gen. Dwivedi will also be responsible for coordination along with the Navy and Air Force for the strategic initiative of the government to establish theatre commands. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, he was commissioned into the Indian Army's 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984, later going ahead to command the unit as well.
In this Chimera-filled career spanning 40 years, Gen. Dwivedi held a variety of important posts related to command, staff, instruction, and foreign assignments. Some of the significant commanding positions held by him were that of 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles regiment, 26 Sector Assam Rifles brigade, Inspector General of Assam Rifles along with East, and 9 Corps. His distinguished services have been rewarded in the form of awards for Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
As Commander, Northern Army, Gen. Dwivedi provided strategic direction and operation overview with regard to sustained military operations along India's northern and western borders, apart from dynamic counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. He was actively involved in negotiations with China on border disputes and modernization/equipping of the largest Army command. Apart from this, he also had a special focus on induction of indigenous equipment as part of self-reliant India goals under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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