New Delhi, June 30, 2026 — General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), today relinquished charge after more than four decades of exemplary service to the nation. In a solemn and dignified ceremony at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi, he received a ceremonial Guard of Honour before handing over command to General Dhiraj Seth, who assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff.
The outgoing Army Chief also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. In his farewell address, General Dwivedi described his journey as “the greatest privilege of my life” and expressed profound humility, gratitude, pride, and satisfaction upon concluding his tenure.
A Career Spanning Over Four Decades
Born on 1 July 1964, General Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Indian Army on 15 December 1984 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (18 JAK RIF). An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, he completed his military education at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, before proceeding to the IMA.
His academic credentials are equally distinguished. He holds an M.Phil. in Defence and Management Studies and master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, including one from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, where he was conferred the honour of Distinguished Fellow. He has also served as an instructor at the IMA and as Directing Staff at the Higher Command Wing of the Army War College.
Throughout his career, General Dwivedi earned a reputation for balanced operational exposure across both the Northern and Western Theatres. He commanded a battalion in the Kashmir Valley during Operation Rakshak and in the deserts of Rajasthan. He later commanded a sector of the Assam Rifles in Manipur during Operation Rhino and served as Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East), pioneering the first compendium on Indo-Myanmar Border Management. His international assignments included service with HQ UNOSOM II in Somalia and as Military Attaché to Seychelles.
Key command and staff appointments included Commander of IX Corps (February 2020), Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination) in April 2021 — where he drove automation and niche technology absorption — and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command (1 February 2022). As Northern Army Commander, he significantly enhanced technological capabilities through big data analytics, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and blockchain solutions while steering indigenous equipment induction under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and strengthening synergy with the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Tenure as Chief of the Army Staff (30 June 2024 – 30 June 2026)
General Dwivedi assumed charge as the 30th COAS on 30 June 2024, succeeding General Manoj Pande. His two-year tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on doctrinal transformation, multi-domain operations, tri-service jointness, and accelerated modernisation.
Under his leadership, the Indian Army made significant strides in emerging technologies, capability development, and operational readiness along the northern and western borders. He played a vital role in the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor (2025), India’s precise and resolute response to terror infrastructure following the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation demonstrated military precision, information dominance, diplomatic signalling, and national resolve, shifting the paradigm from reactive to proactive deterrence.
General Dwivedi was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the US Army War College, becoming only the third Indian Army Chief to receive this honour after General V.K. Singh and General Bikram Singh. He consistently advocated for future warfare to be “joint, integrated, and theatre-oriented,” while fostering greater coordination among the three services.
Awards and Recognitions
General Dwivedi’s distinguished service was recognised with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2024 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2021, along with three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards and numerous campaign and service medals, including the UNOSOM medal.
Farewell and Transition
The farewell ceremony on 30 June 2026 was conducted with full military honours. General Dwivedi expressed confidence in the Indian Army’s future readiness and reiterated the importance of technological absorption, innovation, and tri-service synergy in addressing conventional and irregular threats.
He hands over a force that is more technologically enabled, doctrinally evolved, and operationally agile than ever before. General Dhiraj Seth, previously the Vice Chief of the Army Staff and an Armoured Corps officer, takes over at a critical juncture in India’s evolving security landscape.
Personal Life and Post-Retirement Plans
General Dwivedi is married to Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate actively associated with Aarushi, an institute for specially abled children in Bhopal. The couple has two daughters who work with NGOs. A dedicated yoga practitioner, General Dwivedi has often emphasised holistic well-being alongside professional excellence.
In earlier interactions, he shared plans to work for the welfare of Adivasi communities in Madhya Pradesh to curb distress migration from tribal areas. He has also expressed interest in opening a café named ‘Ahista Zindagi’ (Slow Life) — a serene space featuring a library to encourage meaningful conversations and mindful living in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Legacy
General Upendra Dwivedi’s legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to national security, his visionary push towards technological self-reliance, and his role in shaping the Indian Army’s response to contemporary and future challenges. His leadership during Operation Sindoor and his emphasis on jointness and multi-domain readiness have set new benchmarks for the armed forces.
As he retires after more than 41 years of dedicated service, the Indian Army and the nation bid farewell to a soldier, strategist, and leader whose contributions have strengthened India’s defence posture and inspired generations of officers.
The transition marks not just a change of guard but the continuation of a proud tradition of selfless service and professional excellence that defines the Indian Army.
