Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff, on Monday, February 19 succeeding Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar. With the start of his tenure, Lieutenant General Dwivedi paid special honor at the National War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.
Prior to his current position, Lieutenant General Dwivedi served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command from 2022 to 2024, facing complex operational challenges. He brings rich experience, in operations, intelligence, logistics, and modernization initiatives having been commissioned into the 18 JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES in 1984, later commanding the regiment.
Throughout his 39-year career, Lieutenant General Dwivedi held pivotal command roles across diverse theaters, including commanding units in both Kashmir Valley and Rajasthan. Notably, he led operations in intense Counter-Terrorism environments in the North East as a Sector Commander and Inspector General Assam Rifles.
In his later operations, he commanded the Northern Army, Lieutenant General Dwivedi played a crucial role in strategic planning and execution along the northern and western borders.
Beyond command roles, he contributed significantly to enhancing the Armed Forces’ capabilities through staff appointments and leadership positions. Notably, as Director General Infantry, he facilitated capital procurement leading to notable capability enhancements. His advocacy for technology integration, including Big Data Analytics and AI, reflects his forward-thinking approach.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi’s international exposure includes roles in Somalia and Seychelles, bringing a global perspective to his leadership. His academic achievements, including an M. Phil in Defence & Management Studies and two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, underscore his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
He was also involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army Command of Indian Army, where he conducted the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.