Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi assumed the position of Vice Chief of the Army Staff on February 19, 2024. Prior to this, he held the role of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command from 2022 to 2024, operating in highly challenging environments. Commissioned into 18 JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES in 1984, he later commanded the same unit. With a balanced exposure to both Northern and Western Theatres, his 39-year career includes command appointments in diverse operational settings across the country. Notably, he commanded the Rising Star Corps along the Western Borders and the prestigious Northern Army from 2022-2024.
During his tenure as Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi played a crucial role in strategic guidance, operational oversight, and negotiations with China to resolve border issues. Actively engaged in ongoing negotiations, he also focused on modernization and indigenous equipment induction as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Additionally, he fostered convergent Nation-Building outcomes and infrastructure development in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
His career features significant staff appointments in Headquarters Armoured Brigade, Mountain Division, Strike Corps, and Integrated HQ (Army). As Director General Infantry, he accelerated capital procurement for the three services, enhancing the Armed Forces’ capabilities. In the role of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System & Coordination), he championed automation and the adoption of ‘Critical and Emerging Technologies’ like Big Data Analytics, AI, Quantum, and Blockchain-based solutions.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi’s instructional appointments include tenures at Infantry School and Army War College, Mhow. Internationally, he served in Somalia as part of HQ UNOSOM II and Seychelles as the Military Advisor to the Government of Seychelles. Educationally accomplished, he attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington & Higher Command Course at AWC, Mhow. Conferred ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at USAWC, Carlisle, USA, he holds an M Phil in Defence & Management Studies and two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
In his new role as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi succeeds Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar. With a wealth of experience in operations, intelligence, logistics, force structuring, and modernization, he continues to contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the Indian Army.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi the very best.