General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday here assumed charge as the 30th Army chief. He succeeds General Manoj Pande who retired after more than 40 years of service.
Incidentally, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and the new Army chief are classmates. They studied together in class five in Sainik School, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh in the 1970s. While they were studying in Class 5A, their roll numbers were 931 and 938 respectively.
Official spokesperson of the Defence Minister, A Bharat Bhushan Babu, said in a social media post, “For the first time in Indian Military history, Chiefs of Navy and Army hail from the same school. This rare honour of nurturing two prodigious students, who would go on to lead their respective Services 50 years later, goes to Sainik School, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.” Navy Chief Tripathi took charge on May 1.
General Dwivedi, who has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan, assumed the new responsibility at a time India is facing myriad security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“General Dwivedi brings with him, a wealth of experience and a proven track record, of effectively planning and executing for the unexpected,” the Army said.
He was serving as the Vice Chief of the Army since February 19. Before becoming the Vice Chief, he was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, General Dwivedi was commissioned into a regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984. He has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres in varied operational environments.
The Army said General Dwivedi’s impetus would be to augment the infusion of critical technologies by leveraging the nation’s vibrant, capable and productive technology eco-system to enhance the force’s overall capability.
“He takes over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at a time when the global geo-strategic environment remains dynamic, with the challenges in the security domain becoming more pronounced due to technological advancements and the ever-changing character of modern warfare,” it said.
General Dwivedi has taken charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time India is facing various security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
As the Chief of Army Staff, he will also have to coordinate with the Navy and the Indian Air Force on the government’s ambitious plan to roll out theatre commands.
The Army said operational preparedness to counter security threats to a rising nation would figure prominently as a key focus area for the COAS.
“Concurrently, a focused response strategy, to myriad non-traditional security challenges, too shall be a priority, towards augmenting the nation’s defence,” it said.
“General Dwivedi has tenanted critical appointments and played a pivotal role in combating grey zone manifestations in the national security canvas,” it said in a release.
The Army said the officer has a deep understanding of modern and emerging technologies in the security domain and possesses a thoughtful approach to harnessing and integrating cutting-edge technologies into military systems to enhance operational effectiveness.
“This vision finds congruence to the ongoing pursuit of the Indian Army to fulfil its modernisation and capability development needs through Atmanirbharta,” it said.
“A firm believer and follower of the Chetwode Motto, the General will also focus on promoting a culture of trust, empowerment of junior officers, well-being of the soldiers and welfare of veterans and Veer Naris,” it said.
In his long and distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments.
The command appointments of General Dwivedi include command of regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.
As Northern Army commander, General Dwivedi provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for the planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating the dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
During this period, he was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China to resolve the vexed border issue, they said.
He was also involved in the modernisation and equipping of the largest Army command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
