General Dalbir Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, has taken over as the 26th Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army today. The General is an alumnus of Sainik School, Chittorgarh. He joined National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1970 and was commissioned into 4/5 GR (FF) in Jun 1974. He holds a Masters Degrees in Management Studies from Osmania University and Strategic Studies from Chennai University. The General Officer has attended various career courses in India and abroad which include ‘Long Defence Management Course’ at CDM, Secunderabad, NDC Course at New Delhi, Executive Course in USA and Senior Mission Leaders Course (UN) in Kenya.
In a distinguished military career, spanning four decades, he has tenanted critical Command and Staff appointments which include tactical and operational levels of command in active counter insurgency and proxy war environment in the North East and Jammu & Kashmir. The General possesses tremendous operational experience which includes a tenure as a Company Commander in “Op PAWAN” in Sri Lanka, raising and commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Nagaland and an Infantry Brigade deeply committed in intense Counter Insurgency Operations in the Kashmir Valley. He also holds the distinction of commanding a Mountain Division in Jammu & Kashmir, deployed on the Line of Control in High Altitude Area.
Prior to taking over the appointment of ‘Vice Chief of the Army Staff’ on 01 Jan 2014, the General Officer was General Officer Commanding of a Corps, looking after the dual responsibility of Counter Insurgency Operations in the North Eastern States, as well as conventional operational tasks along the Indo-China Border and later as General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command.
The General has served as an Instructor in Army School of Mechanical Transport (ASMT), Bangalore as well as Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. He has also tenanted important staff appointments at the Divisional and the Corps levels. He has also held important assignments in Army Headquarters, both as a Colonel and as a Brigadier.
The General Officer has tenanted the appointment of IG SFF, Cabinet Secretariat prior to his promotion as a Corps Commander. The General has been holding the appointment of Colonel of the Regiment, 5 GR (FF) from 19 Apr 2011 and the President Gorkha Brigade from 01 Jan 2014.
The General is highly decorated and is the proud recepient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
The General is a keen sportsman and takes special interest in Riding and Swimming. He is married to Mrs Namita Suhag, who is a Political Science graduate from Delhi University.
Also Read
- Upcoming UPSC Entries for Indian Defence
- Important Interview Questions of SSB
- Self-Confidence: The ‘Gist’ of an Officer Like Personality in SSB Screening