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New Delhi: For the first time in Indian military history, two classmates are going to command the Navy and the Army together. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi will take charge as the Army Chief on Sunday, while Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has been the Navy Chief since April 30.
Interestingly, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Army Chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi have studied at Sainik School, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. They were in school together from class 5th to A in the early 1970s.
The roll numbers of both the officers were also close to each other, like Lieutenant General Dwivedi’s roll number was 931 and Admiral Tripathi’s was 938.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi will be the 30th Chief of the Army
Lieutenant General Dwivedi and Admiral Tripathi were classmates in class five at Sainik School, Rewa in the seventies of the last century. The roll number of Lieutenant General Dwivedi was 931 and that of Admiral Tripathi was 938. There has been a deep friendship between them since their early days in school. Lieutenant General Dwivedi will be the 30th Chief of the Army. He replaces General Manoj Pandey who is retiring on Sunday after a tenure of 26 months.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi is taking over as the Army Chief at a time when the army is undergoing modernization with structural reforms. Lieutenant General Dwivedi has had a long tenure as the Northern Army Commander. He has extensive experience in operations on the borders with China and Pakistan.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi joined Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984.
It is noteworthy that the chiefs of the three armies can remain on their post till the age of 62 years or for three years (whichever is earlier). Born on July 1, 1964, Lieutenant General Dwivedi joined the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of the Army on December 15, 1984.
During his long and distinguished service of almost 40 years, he has held posts which include Commanding the Regiment (18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (Sector 26 Assam Rifles), DIG East, Corps (9th Corps) of Assam Rifles and Chief of Northern Command (2022 to 2024).
He has also been the Director General of Infantry. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C Commendations. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was educated at Sainik School, National Defense College and US Army War College, Rewa.
Lieutenant General Dwivedi has also received training at the Defense Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and Army War College, Mhow (Madhya Pradesh). He did F.Sc in Defense and Management Studies. Phil and has two postgraduate degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani will take over the responsibility of Deputy Chief of Army Staff
Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani will take over the responsibility of Vice Chief of the Army on Sunday. He will replace Lieutenant General Dwivedi. Lieutenant General Subramani is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy Dehradun. He joined Garhwal Rifles in the year 1985.
