General Bipin Rawat takes over as 27th Chief of Army Staff

General Bipin Rawat has taken over as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff. General Dalbir Singh, who ended an illustrious career as the Chief of Army Staff, spanning over four decades, handed over the baton to General Bipin Rawat at a ceremony held at South Block today.

The General Officer was appointed as of the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army on 1 September 2016.

General Bipin Rawat was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'.  The General Officer has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations. He commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector; a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley, a Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command. He also held instructional appointments at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and at Army War College, Mhow.

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.  He has also been Major General General Staff (MGGS) at HQ Eastern Command.  The General Officer commanded a multinational brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Whilst serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander's Commendation.

An alumni of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command & National Defence College, the General Officer, during a span of over 38 years service in uniform, has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander's Commendation.  The General Officer also attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

Academically inclined, he has authored numerous articles on 'National Security' and 'Leadership', which have been published in various journals and publications. He was awarded M Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He has a Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Computer Studies. Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat has also completed his research on military media strategic studies and was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut in 2011.