lieutenant General Balwant Singh Negi, YSM, SM, VSM took over as the new commandant of prestigious Indian Military Academy, Dehradunon Monday.
A highly decorated soldier lt Gen Negi is an alumni of prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA). A native of Himachal Pradesh he got commissioned into 15 Battalion of Assam Regiment in December 1978.
In an illustrious career spanning over a period of more than 37 years, the Officer has held various staff instructional and command appointments. He was an Instructor in IMA, Infantry School Mhow and Defence services Staff College Wellington. The new IMA commandant has served in Operation ‘Meghdoot’ and Operation ‘Rakshak’ and was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal (YSM) in 1998 and Vishisht Sewa Medal Bar in the years 2007 and 2011.
Incidentally lt Gen Negi has been awarded doctorate degree by Madras University for his research work on the topic “China’s Modernization” and is presently working on his research topic Tibet” as a part of his D.litt. programme. Apart from brilliant in academics Gen Negi is a keen golfer and participated in boxing, polo, horse ridding and adventure sports. He was General Officer Commanding of 14 Corps before assuming the present appointment.It is worth mentioning here that the position of IMA commandant was vacant ever since the superannuation of lt General Manvendra Singh on May 30.
