International Desk:

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed India’s new Army chief with effect from June 30, the Defence Ministry has announced.

Dwivedi is serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The incumbent Army chief Gen Manoj C Pande retires on June 30.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into the infantry (Jammu & Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments.

The command appointments of Lt Gen Dwivedi include Command of Regiment (18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles) and Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.

In the rank of Lt Gen, the decorated officer has tenanted important appointments including that of Director General Infantry and General Officer Commanding in Chief (Headquarter Northern Command) from 2022-2024, before getting appointed as the vice chief of the Army.