Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi: Indian Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed the new Army Chief. The Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, currently serving as the Deputy Army Chief, will take over as the next Army Chief on June 30 afternoon.
Vice Chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi will take over from General Manoj Pandey. General Pandey will retire on June 30. The government has followed the seniority order in the appointment of Lieutenant General Dwivedi.
General Pandey Was Given Extension Of Service
In a rare move, the government extended General Pandey’s tenure by a month a few days before his retirement. This move had led to speculation that Lieutenant General Dwivedi could be overlooked for the top post.
The most senior officer after Lieutenant General Dwivedi is Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh. Lieutenant General Dwivedi and Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh were to retire on June 30.
Took Over As Deputy Chief In February.
The three Army Chiefs can serve till age 62 or for three years, whichever is earlier. The retirement age of officers of the rank of Lieutenant General is 60 years unless the officer is approved for a four-star rank. Lieutenant General Dwivedi took over as the Army’s Deputy Chief on February 19.
Got Commissioned In 1984
Before taking over as the Deputy Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Dwivedi served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, was commissioned into the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. He later took command of the unit.
During his long and distinguished service of nearly 40 years, he has served in various command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C commendation cards.
