• Source:JND
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Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, who is currently serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, was appointed as the next Indian Army chief by the Union government on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. Dwivedi will assume the role of Army chief on the afternoon of June 30, the day on which current Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande is retiring. A decorated Army man, Lt General Dwivedi has served in many key positions in the Army during his career.

Who Is Lt General Upendra Dwivedi

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, entered the halls of Sainik School Rewa as a teenager. He was commissioned into the Infantry division of 18 JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES in 1984, a unit he later commanded. In his 40-year-long illustrious armed forces career, the officer has served in both the eastern and the western theatres. Along with extensive experience at both the Pakistan and China borders, Lt. Gen. Dwivedi has served in several important commands, staff, instructional, and foreign appointments.

The command appointments of Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi include command of Regiment (18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), DIG, Assam Rifles (East), and 9 Corps, PIB reported.

A Kashmir & North East Specialist

He led his unit in both the Kashmir Valley and Rajasthan. He also served as Sector Commander and Inspector General of Assam Rifles in the challenging Counter-Terrorism environment of the North East. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi commanded the Rising Star Corps, overseeing operations along the Western Borders. From 2022 to 2024, he led the prestigious Northern Army, dealing with highly demanding operational situations on both the northern and western borders. During his tenure, he provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for ongoing operations along these borders and managed dynamic Counter-Terrorism operations in J&K.

Awards and Achievements

Lt General Upendra Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, the National Defence College, and the US Army War College. He has also completed courses at the DSSC Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow. Additionally, he was honoured as a 'Distinguished Fellow' in a prestigious NDC-equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. The officer holds an M.Phil. in Defence and Management Studies and two Master's degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.