Lt Gen Manoj Pande likely India’s next army chief

Lieutenant General Manoj Pande will likely be the next Indian Army chief.

He currently serves as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Previously, he served as the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, having taken over on June 1, 2021.

The incumbent army chief, Gen MM Naravane, will likely be appointed India’s second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) upon his retirement at the end of the month, according to reports.

Gen Bipin Rawat served as the first CDS of the Indian armed forces from January 2020 until his death in a helicopter crash in December 2021.

A spate of retirements means Lt Gen Pande is now in line for the top job.

Lt Gen Raj Shukla, who commanded the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), retired on March 31.

Lt Gen CP Mohanty and Lt Gen YK Joshi retired on January 31.

At the end of last month, there were also some changes in commands. Lt Gen SS Mahal assumed command of ARTRAC at Shimla after the retirement of Lt Gen Raj Shukla.

Lt Gen C Bansi Ponnappa was appointed adjutant general. Lt Gen JP Mathews took over as the general officer commanding, Uttar Bharat area.