With Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi set to take over as the new Chief of Army Staff on June 30, the Indian Army is poised for significant leadership changes across its key Commands and Corps formations. These changes come as part of the regular rotation and promotion of senior officers, ensuring the continuation of experienced leadership within the Army.
On June 30, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani will succeed Lt Gen Dwivedi as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff. This role is crucial within the Army headquarters, overseeing critical areas such as modernisation and indigenisation of the force. Lt Gen Dwivedi’s appointment as the new Chief of the Indian Army was officially announced on June 11.
As Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh is set to retire on June 30, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is expected to step into his role. Currently commanding the South Western Army Command in Jaipur, Lt Gen Seth will take charge of the Southern Command headquartered in Pune. This command oversees a vast area, stretching from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to the Kutch border with Pakistan.
The current head of the Army Training Command, Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, is likely to be appointed as the new head of the South Western Army Command in Jaipur. This change is part of the broader reshuffle within the Army’s leadership structure.
Further leadership transitions include Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, presently the Chief of Staff at the Northern Command, who is expected to be promoted to head the Central Command in Lucknow. Additionally, Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, the Chief of Staff at the Western Command, is likely to move to Shimla to lead the Training Command.
The Corps formations are also seeing new appointments. Major General Hitesh Bhalla is set to become the new chief of the Leh-based 14 Corps, succeeding Lt Gen Rashim Bali. Lt Gen Bali has been cleared to take over as the new Military Secretary in the Army headquarters, a position that involves managing the officer cadre of the entire Army.
Furthermore, the 2 Strike Corps in Ambala will have a new leader in Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar. These changes ensure that the Indian Army remains well-prepared and efficiently managed, with experienced leaders at the helm of its critical formations.
In summary, the Indian Army is undergoing significant changes in its leadership with the appointment of Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi as the new Chief of Army Staff. These changes are aimed at maintaining the effectiveness and readiness of the Army through experienced and capable leadership.