With General Upendra Dwivedi taking over as the new Chief of the Indian Army, significant changes have been made across various command positions. These strategic appointments aim to bolster the Army’s operational capabilities and streamline command structures.
New Appointments and Their Backgrounds
General Dwivedi’s elevation to Army Chief has led to the appointment of Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the new Vice Chief (Co-Chief). Previously, General Dwivedi held this position. Lieutenant General Subramani, formerly the Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command in Lucknow, brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of operations along the Western (Pakistan) and Northern (China) borders. His expertise will be crucial in his new role at the Army Headquarters in South Block.
Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma has been appointed to lead the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla. Previously, he served as the Chief of Staff in the Western Command at Chandimandir. General Sharma, an officer from the Scindia Horse of the Armoured Corps, has a distinguished career that includes an instructor role at the National Defence College (NDC). His leadership comes at a pivotal time as the Army plans to experiment with the Integrated Battle Group (IBG) under the Agneepath scheme.
Key Command Changes
The Lucknow-based Central Command will now be under the leadership of Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the ‘Fire and Fury’ (14th) Corps in Leh (Ladakh) and as the Chief of Staff of the Northern Command in Udhampur. General Sengupta will oversee the deployment of a full corps under the Central Command, which is tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the Line of Actual Control (LAC) adjoining China in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In Jaipur, the South-West Command (Sapt-Shakti) will be led by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, who was formerly in charge of the Army Training Command. This command was previously under Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth, who has now taken over the Pune-based South Command. General Seth replaces Lieutenant General AK Singh, who has retired.
Looking Ahead
These strategic changes reflect the Indian Army’s focus on enhancing operational readiness and adapting to evolving security challenges. The reshuffle is expected to bring fresh perspectives and renewed vigour to the Army’s command structure. Additionally, further changes in the Chief’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO) at the Army Headquarters are anticipated, indicating a comprehensive approach to optimizing leadership across all levels.
The new appointments underline the Army’s commitment to strengthening its defensive and strategic capabilities, ensuring that the Indian Army remains well-prepared to address both current and future challenges.
