Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi is appointed by the central government as the new Army Chief. He will take charge on the 30th of June 2024. Current Army Chief General Manoj C Pandey is retiring on June 30.
As soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed the government for the third time, the work of giving a green signal to the pending appointments started. The central government has appointed Upendra Dwivedi as the next Army Chief from the afternoon of June 30.
Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army posted on X about the appointment of the Army Chief.
After the sixth phase of elections on May 25, the Central Government extended the service of Army Chief General Manoj Pandey by one month. For this reason, he will remain in office till June 30. Earlier he was scheduled to retire on May 31. The extension was done on the 26th of May 2024 under Rule 16A (4) of the Army Rules, 1954. Moreover, due to the ongoing election, the extension was done.
Biography of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi
Early Life
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was born on 1 July 1964. Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa. He then joined the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and later the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. An alumnus of the US Army War College, Lt Dwivedi has also undergone courses at DSSC Wellington and Army War College (Mhow).
Also awarded ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the prestigious NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. Lieutenant General Dwivedi has done an M.Phil in Defense and Management Studies. Moreover, he has two master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
Commissioned in the Indian Army
He was commissioned in the Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on the 15th of December 1984. During nearly 40 years of military service, he has served in various command, staff, instructional and overseas appointments. It comprises the commands of Regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), DIG, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps. Before he was appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff, he held important appointments including Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief (HQ Northern Command) from 2022-2024.
Personal life of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi is married to Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, who is a science graduate and a homemaker. Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi has been associated with Aarushi, an institute for specially-abled children, in Bhopal. The couple is blessed with two daughters.
