Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, is a distinguished officer in the Indian Army, recently appointed as the Chief of Army Staff as of June 2024. His illustrious career is marked by a series of significant appointments, including his tenure as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command and the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination). Prior to these roles, he served as the General Officer Commanding IX Corps.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born on July 1, 1964, General Dwivedi’s personal life is centered around his family. He is married to Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate and homemaker who is actively involved with Aarushi, an institute for specially-abled children in Bhopal. The couple has two daughters.
EDUCATION
General Dwivedi’s early education took place at Sainik School in Rewa. He later attended the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. To further his military education, he attended the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and the Higher Command Course at the Army War College in Mhow. His academic achievements include being named a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at the United States Army War College in Carlisle. Additionally, he holds an MPhil in Defence and Management Studies, along with two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, one of which is from the United States Army War College. Throughout his career, he has authored and presented articles in various professional forums and journals.
ABOUT
General Dwivedi was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984. His early career saw him commanding a battalion in Chowkibal, Kashmir Valley during Operation Rakshak, and in the deserts of Rajasthan. He also led a sector of the Assam Rifles in Manipur during Operation Rhino and served as Inspector General of the Assam Rifles in Assam. His extensive service record includes numerous staff and command positions in the Northern and Western Theatres of the Indian Army. His instructional roles at the Indian Military Academy and the Army War College were pivotal in shaping future military leaders.
In February 2020, General Dwivedi was appointed commander of IX Corps, and by April 2021, he advanced to the role of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination). In this capacity, he was instrumental in driving technological advancements within the Indian Army. On February 1, 2022, he took command of the Northern Command, focusing on integrating critical and emerging technologies such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain solutions. His leadership during this period also saw significant modernization and the induction of indigenous equipment, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Furthermore, he worked closely with the communities in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to promote nation-building and infrastructure development.
On February 19, 2024, General Dwivedi succeeded Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar as the Vice Chief of Army Staff. His rise continued when, on June 11, 2024, the Government of India announced his appointment as the next Chief of Army Staff, succeeding General Manoj Pande, whose tenure ended on June 30, 2024.
General Dwivedi’s personal life is centered around his family. He is married to Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate and homemaker who is actively involved with Aarushi, an institute for specially-abled children in Bhopal. The couple has two daughters.
Throughout his illustrious career, General Dwivedi has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), among various other service medals and commendations. His steady rise through the ranks of the Indian Army, marked by significant dates and promotions, culminated in his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff in June 2024.
