General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM AVSM ADC (born 1 July 1964) is a serving four star general officer of the Indian Army. He is the current and 30th Chief of the Army Staff.He took over as the 30th COAS succeeding General Manoj Pande on 30 June 2024.He was previously serving as the 46th Vice Chief of Army Staff. Earlier he was tenanting the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, prior to that he served as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination)and as the General Officer Commanding IX Corps.
Military Career
Commissioned into the Indian Army on December 15, 1984, Dwivedi began his career with the 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, a unit he later commanded. Over a career spanning more than 39 years, he has held several significant command and staff roles in both the Northern and Western Theatres of operations. Notably, he commanded his unit in the volatile Kashmir Valley and Rajasthan, and later held critical leadership positions including Inspector General of Assam Rifles, where he oversaw operations in the North East.
Dwivedi’s operational expertise extends to the northern and western borders of India. As the commander of the prestigious Rising Star Corps, he played a crucial role in strategic planning and operational oversight, particularly along the western borders. He also served as the Northern Army Commander from 2022 to 2024, where he was instrumental in shaping India’s defense strategy, especially in dealing with counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir and managing tensions with China.
Education
Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa. He joined Sainik School, Rewa in July 1973 where he was classmates with the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and passed out from the school in 1981.
He attended the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and then the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was an outstanding sportsman and excelled in both NDA and IMA, where he was awarded the Blue in Physical Training. He continued to excel post commissioning and was awarded the gold medal in the Physical Training Course. He also attended
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington & Higher Command Course at Army War College, Mhow. He was conferred
Distinguished Fellow in the coveted NDC equivalent course at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, USA. He has a M. Phil. degree in Defence & Management Studies, in addition to the two Masters Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, including one from
United States Army War College. He has authored / presented articles in various professional forums / Journals.
Chief of the Army Staff
On 11 June 2024, the Government of India appointed Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi as the next Chief of Army Staff. On 30 June 2024, General Upendra Dwivedi took over as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff succeeding General Manoj Pande, who superannuated after more than four decades of service to the nation.
