The government has announced that Lt General Upendra Dwivedi will succeed General Manoj C Pande as the Chief of the Army Staff, taking charge on June 30. General Pande will demit office on the same day, marking the end of his tenure, which included a one-month extension beyond his scheduled retirement in May.

Lt General Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, has had a distinguished 40-year career in the Indian Army. Decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, he was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984. Over the years, he has held a variety of command and staff appointments, including commanding the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles, and the 9 Corps.

He has also served as the Director General Infantry and the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024 before becoming the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Lt General Dwivedi’s educational background includes studying at Sainik School Rewa, the National Defence College, and the US Army War College. He has completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow. He was recognized as a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at the US Army War College in Carlisle, reflecting his academic and strategic expertise.

Additionally, he holds an M Phil in Defence and Management Studies and two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science. His achievements have been further recognized with three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.

General Manoj C Pande was appointed as the Army Chief on April 30, 2022, and has led the Indian Army with distinction until the end of his extended service in June 2024.