Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has ascended to the position of Chief of Army Staff, commencing his tenure on June 30. He steps into this role following the retirement of General Manoj Pande, who is set to conclude his service on the same date.
As the 30th Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Dwivedi transitions from his previous role as Vice Chief of Army Staff, Northern Army Commander, and DG Infantry, among other pivotal command positions. A staunch proponent of technological integration in military operations, Lt Gen Dwivedi boasts extensive operational experience on the Chinese frontier as well as along the Pakistani border.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the 18th JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES in 1984, a unit he subsequently commanded. His career is marked by a rare balance of exposure to both the Northern and Western Theatres.
Throughout his distinguished career spanning over 39 years, he has held command posts in demanding operational environments across the nation. He commanded his unit in the Kashmir Valley and in Rajasthan, served as Sector Commander, and was Inspector General of Assam Rifles in the intensely counter-terrorism-focused North East.
Lt Gen Dwivedi led the Rising Star Corps with an operational mandate along the Western Borders and later commanded the Northern Army from 2022-24, navigating extremely challenging conditions along both northern and western borders. Under his leadership, he provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for sustained operations in these regions, while also orchestrating dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
During this time, he played an active role in the ongoing negotiations with China to resolve the contentious border issues. He also spearheaded the modernization and equipping of the Indian Army’s largest command, championing the induction of indigenous equipment as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
He synergized with the populace of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to foster nation-building and infrastructure development. Beyond his demanding command roles, Lt Gen Dwivedi held significant staff appointments in the Headquarters Armoured Brigade, Mountain Division, Strike Corps, and Integrated Headquarters (Army).
As Director General of Infantry, he expedited the procurement of weaponry for the three services, significantly enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces. As Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System & Coordination), he drove the automation and adoption of advanced technologies in the Indian Army. A technology aficionado, he worked to elevate the technical proficiency of all ranks in Northern Command and promoted ‘Critical and Emerging Technologies’ such as Big Data Analytics, AI, Quantum, and Blockchain-based solutions.
The General officer also served in instructional capacities at the Infantry School and Army War College, Mhow. His international assignments include roles in Somalia with HQ UNOSOM II and in Seychelles as Military Advisor to the Government of Seychelles. He attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Higher Command Course at AWC, Mhow.
He was named a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the esteemed NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. He holds an MPhil in Defence and Management Studies, alongside two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, including one from USAWC, USA. Lt Gen Dwivedi has also authored and presented numerous articles in professional forums and journals, and pioneered the first compendium on Indo-Myanmar Border Management.