NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JUNE 30
General Manoj Pande, superannuated on Sunday after more than four decades of distinguished service and relinquished the appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). His tenure will be remembered for high state of combat readiness, impetus to the process of transformation besides his strong push towards Atmanirbharta initiatives.
General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, takes over as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, who superannuated after more than four decades of service to the nation on 30 Jun 2024
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Genearl Upendra Dwivedi succeeded him as new Army Chief
General Manoj Pande, as COAS accorded highest priority to operational preparedness along the Northern and Western borders. He frequently visited forward areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Eastern Ladakh, and the North East, taking first-hand account of operational preparedness and morale of all ranks.
General Manoj Pande initiated holistic transformation of the Indian Army with focus on technological absorption under five distinct pillars. Quantifiable progress was made under these technological initiatives, which will continue to steer the Indian Army towards transforming into a modern, agile, adaptive, and technology-enabled future-ready force.
His emphasis on adaptation of indigenous weapons and equipment under ‘Atmanirbharata’ initiative paved the way for long term sustenance of the Indian Army. He provided impetus to Human Resource development initiatives, that made positive impact on the lives of serving personnel, their families and the veteran fraternity.
As COAS, he encouraged Bilateral/ Multilateral exercises, seminars and discussions. Under his guidance, Chanakya Defence Dialogue was instituted to carry out a comprehensive analysis of security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. In addition, he accorded due diligence to military diplomacy through conduct of Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) and enhancing the scale and scope of annual exercises with partner nations.
The four decade plus military journey of the General Officer commenced at National Defence Academy. He got commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers). He tenanted important and challenging command and staff appointments in different operational environments.
For his illustrious service, the General Officer has been conferred with the awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
General Upendra Dwivedi takes charge as new Army Chief
General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday took charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff after incumbent Gen Manoj Pande retired from service.
Gen Dwivedi, who has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan, was serving as the Vice Chief of the Army.
Before taking charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on February 19, Gen Dwivedi was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022-2024.
Gen Dwivedi took charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time India is facing various security challenges including along the 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.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. He commanded the unit later.
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 Gen Dwivedi include command of regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
As Northern Army commander, Gen Dwivedi provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for 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, the officer was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China in resolving the vexed border issue, they said.
He was also involved in 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).
