Indian Army to see key leadership changes post new chief appointment

Starting June 30th, 2024, the Indian Army is set to undergo significant leadership changes in its important Commands and Corps formations, following the appointment of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi as the new Chief of Army Staff.

This action is expected to bring about some changes within the Army leadership. Lieutenant General Raja Subramani is scheduled to succeed Lieutenant General Dwivedi as the Vice Ch. of Army Staff. A crucial position at Army headquarters, the Vice Chief of Army Staff is in charge of major initiatives including indigenization and modernization.

Lt. Gen. N. S. Raja Subramani, the Central Commander, will succeed Vice Ch. Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi as the Army Chief. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, who presently oversees the South Western Army Command in Jaipur, is expected to succeed Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh upon his retirement on June 30.

One of the biggest spheres of influence is covered by the Southern Command, which has its headquarters in Pune and stretches from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to the border of Kutch with Pakistan. Previously an administrative command until recently, the central command has been strengthened into a combat command. also now has Headquarters Uttar Bharat (HQ UB), an administrative organization under the Central Command, being transformed into a full-fledged corps called the 18 Corps, and also has the Mathura-based 1 Corps, a Strike Corps focused on China.

Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, the Chief of Staff of Northern Command, who is expected to lead Central Command in Lucknow upon promotion, is one of two new commanders who would assume the role of Army Commander. Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, the chief of staff of Western Command, is probably going to relocate to Shimla to oversee the Training Command.

South Western Army Command in Jaipur is anticipated to be led by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, the current commander of Army Training Command. Major General Hitesh Bhalla, the new chief of the 14 Corps, stationed in Leh, will also be replaced by new Corps leaders. On July 1st, he will assume his new position as Lieutenant General, succeeding Lieutenant General Rashim Bali.

As the next Military Secretary at Army headquarters, Lieutenant General Bali has already received approval to assume responsibility for the officer cadre of the entire Army. Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar is also scheduled to take over as chief of the 2 Strike Corps in Ambala.

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