Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj - Revision history

Joann47Q9259: quick update

2025-12-25T19:21:40Z

quick update

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 26 December 2025
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	As a [[Major General]], he was the General Officer Commanding Delhi Area where he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] for distinguished service. Upon promotion to the rank of [[Lieutenant General]], he commanded [[XIV Corps (India)\|XIV Corps]], responsible for the vast areas of [[Ladakh]] and the [[Siachen Glacier]] before assuming command of [[Northern Command (India)\|Northern Command]] on 1 March 2008. Upon being awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2009, he became the most decorated soldier in the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Lt Gen Bhardwaj is Army's Northern Command's new chief \|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lt-gen-bhardwaj-is-armys-northern-commands-new-chief_427671.html \| date=1 March 2008 \| publisher=Zee News \| access-date=24 January 2020 }}</ref>		As a [[Major General]], he was the General Officer Commanding Delhi Area where he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] for distinguished service. Upon promotion to the rank of [[Lieutenant General]], he commanded [[XIV Corps (India)\|XIV Corps]], responsible for the vast areas of [[Ladakh]] and the [[Siachen Glacier]] before assuming command of [[Northern Command (India)\|Northern Command]] on 1 March 2008. Upon being awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2009, he became the most decorated soldier in the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Lt Gen Bhardwaj is Army's Northern Command's new chief \|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lt-gen-bhardwaj-is-armys-northern-commands-new-chief_427671.html \| date=1 March 2008 \| publisher=Zee News \| access-date=24 January 2020 }}</ref>

	==Post ~~Military Career~~==		==Post-military career==
	Lt. Gen Bhardwaj is a board member of the [[Welham Boys' School]] and also on the governing council of the Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, both in Dehradun.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Welham Boys' School - Board of Governors \|url=http://www.welhamboys.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Governing Council \|url=http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/}}</ref>		Lt. Gen Bhardwaj is a board member of the [[Welham Boys' School]] and also on the governing council of the Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, both in Dehradun.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Welham Boys' School - Board of Governors \|url=http://www.welhamboys.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Governing Council \|url=http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112032403/http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=12 January 2015}}</ref>

	==Honours and decorations==		==Honours and decorations==
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	As a Second Lieutenant, Bhardwaj was awarded the [[Vir Chakra]] for operations during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. His Vir Chakra citation reads as follows.<ref>{{cite web \|title=2/LT Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj\|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj}}</ref>		As a Second Lieutenant, Bhardwaj was awarded the [[Vir Chakra]] for operations during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. His Vir Chakra citation reads as follows.<ref>{{cite web \|title=2/LT Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj\|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj}}</ref>

	{{~~Quotation~~\|{{center\|'''CITATION'''<br>'''SECOND LIEUTENANT PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}		{{Blockquote\|{{center\|'''CITATION'''<br>'''SECOND LIEUTENANT PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}

	On the night of 16 December 1971, Second Lieutenant Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj, a platoon commander in a battalion of the Parachute Regiment, formed part of the company which was assigned the task of capturing an enemy position in the Ferozepore Sector. This position was held in strength by the enemy and protected by mines and obstacles. During the assault, his platoon came under the effective fire of an enemy machine gun firing from a bunker. Second Lieutenant Bhardwaj, with utter disregard for his safety, charged the bunker, lobbed a grenade inside and immediately thereafter, rushing inside the bunker, he bayoneted the personnel and captured the medium machine gun. In this process he was injured by a bullet in the forehead. Undeterred by his injury, he pressed on with the assault and charged another machine gun bunker. Here again, he followed up his grenade attack with the bayonet and succeeded in capturing the second machine gun.		On the night of 16 December 1971, Second Lieutenant Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj, a platoon commander in a battalion of the Parachute Regiment, formed part of the company which was assigned the task of capturing an enemy position in the Ferozepore Sector. This position was held in strength by the enemy and protected by mines and obstacles. During the assault, his platoon came under the effective fire of an enemy machine gun firing from a bunker. Second Lieutenant Bhardwaj, with utter disregard for his safety, charged the bunker, lobbed a grenade inside and immediately thereafter, rushing inside the bunker, he bayoneted the personnel and captured the medium machine gun. In this process he was injured by a bullet in the forehead. Undeterred by his injury, he pressed on with the assault and charged another machine gun bunker. Here again, he followed up his grenade attack with the bayonet and succeeded in capturing the second machine gun.
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	As a Colonel, Bhardwaj was also awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] for a rescue operation where tourists who were stranded in a cable car were rescued in a joint operation conducted by 1 Para (Commando) and the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=COL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ, VrC, SHAURYA CHAKRA \|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj-vrc}}</ref> His Shaurya Chakra citation reads as follows:		As a Colonel, Bhardwaj was also awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] for a rescue operation where tourists who were stranded in a cable car were rescued in a joint operation conducted by 1 Para (Commando) and the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=COL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ, VrC, SHAURYA CHAKRA \|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj-vrc}}</ref> His Shaurya Chakra citation reads as follows:

	{{~~Quotation~~\|{{center\|'''CITATION'''<br>'''COLONEL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}		{{Blockquote\|{{center\|'''CITATION'''<br>'''COLONEL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}

	On 13th October 92 at 1930 hours, Commanding Officer 1 Para (Commando) was informed that 10 passengers were stranded in a cable car due to snapping of a haulage. The cable car was suspended in mid air at a height of 1300 feet, about 500 from the terminus at Timber Trail, Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. He was asked to move to the site and launch a special rescue mission. Within a short time, a team of five trained officers and personnel was selected for this purpose. Major Ivan Joseph Crasto was asked to lead the team. Over the next one hour, the Commanding Officer assembled the team, discussed the various options and collected the diverse equipment which could be utilised for heliborne as well as ground based rescue operations. At 0930 hours on 14 October 92 the Commanding Officer and Major Ivan Joseph Crasto carried out detailed aerial recce with the pilots. At 1630 hours, the Mi-17 mission was launched. The Commanding Officer personally accompanied Major Crasto to supervise the landing on the stranded cable car and to deal with emergencies. This attempt failed because of a number of problems. After several attempts Major Crasto could be lowered and he landed on the top of the cable car. Colonel Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj accompanied each sortie to supervise the rescue operation, on the 14th and 15th October 92. In conducting the overall heli-rescue operation, Colonel Bhardwaj displayed high order of planning, organising and risk-taking capabilities. Even though he faced several odds and he knew that the operation was extremely hazardous, he did not give up and ensured that the operation was a success. In this operation, he displayed confidence, courage, resoluteness of purpose, determination and valour.		On 13th October 92 at 1930 hours, Commanding Officer 1 Para (Commando) was informed that 10 passengers were stranded in a cable car due to snapping of a haulage. The cable car was suspended in mid air at a height of 1300 feet, about 500 from the terminus at Timber Trail, Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. He was asked to move to the site and launch a special rescue mission. Within a short time, a team of five trained officers and personnel was selected for this purpose. Major Ivan Joseph Crasto was asked to lead the team. Over the next one hour, the Commanding Officer assembled the team, discussed the various options and collected the diverse equipment which could be utilised for heliborne as well as ground based rescue operations. At 0930 hours on 14 October 92 the Commanding Officer and Major Ivan Joseph Crasto carried out detailed aerial recce with the pilots. At 1630 hours, the Mi-17 mission was launched. The Commanding Officer personally accompanied Major Crasto to supervise the landing on the stranded cable car and to deal with emergencies. This attempt failed because of a number of problems. After several attempts Major Crasto could be lowered and he landed on the top of the cable car. Colonel Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj accompanied each sortie to supervise the rescue operation, on the 14th and 15th October 92. In conducting the overall heli-rescue operation, Colonel Bhardwaj displayed high order of planning, organising and risk-taking capabilities. Even though he faced several odds and he knew that the operation was extremely hazardous, he did not give up and ensured that the operation was a success. In this operation, he displayed confidence, courage, resoluteness of purpose, determination and valour.
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	\|-		\|-
	\|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg\|105px]]
			\|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]
	\|[[File:IND Paschimi Star Ribbon.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Paschimi Star Ribbon.svg\|105px]]
	\|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg\|105px]]
			\|-
	\|[[File:IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]
	\|-
	~~\|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]~~
	\|[[File:IND Sangram Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Sangram Medal Ribbon.svg\|105px]]
	\|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg\|105px]]		\|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg\|105px]]
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	\|-		\|-
	\|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]		\|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
			\|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals\|Special Service Medal]]
	\|[[Paschimi Star]]		\|[[Paschimi Star]]
	\|[[Operation Vijay Star]]		\|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
			\|-
	\|[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]		\|[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
	\|-
	~~\|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals\|Special Service Medal]]~~
	\|[[Sangram Medal]]		\|[[Sangram Medal]]
	\|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals\|Operation Vijay Medal]]		\|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals\|Operation Vijay Medal]]
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	\|align="center" \|[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Captain (armed forces)\|Captain]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 14 June 1976<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=1662 \|date=4 December 1976 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>		\|align="center" \|[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Captain (armed forces)\|Captain]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 14 June 1976<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=1662 \|date=4 December 1976 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\|align="center" \|[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Major]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 14 June 1983		\|align="center" \|[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Major (rank)\|Major]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 14 June 1983
	\|-		\|-
	\|align="center" \|[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 1 November 1991<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=1374 \|date=24 July 1993 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>		\|align="center" \|[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]] \|\| [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] \|\| Indian Army \|\| 1 November 1991<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=1374 \|date=24 July 1993 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhardwaj, Prabodh Chandra}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhardwaj, Prabodh Chandra}}
	[[Category:Vice ~~Chiefs~~ of Army Staff (India)]]		[[Category:Vice chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
	~~[[Category:Indian generals~~]]
	[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]		[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
	[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]		[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
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	[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
	[[Category:National Defence College, India alumni]]		[[Category:National Defence College, India alumni]]
	[[Category:~~Indian military~~ attachés]]		[[Category:Military attachés for India]]
			[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]

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2022-12-19T14:43:34Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 19 December 2022
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	{{Short description\|Recipient of Shaurya Chakra}}		{{Short description\|Recipient of Shaurya Chakra}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=January ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2020}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2020}}
	{{BLP sources\|date=October ~~2022~~}}		{{BLP sources\|date=October 2018}}

	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person

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2022-12-19T14:43:34Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 19 December 2022
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=January ~~2020~~}}		{{Short description\|Recipient of Shaurya Chakra}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January ~~2020~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2022}}
	{{BLP sources\|date=October ~~2018~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2022}}
			{{BLP sources\|date=October 2022}}

	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
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	\| image = The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, paying homage, at Amar Jawan Jyoti on the occasion of Infantry Day, in New Delhi on October 27, 2010 (cropped).jpg		\| image = The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, paying homage, at Amar Jawan Jyoti on the occasion of Infantry Day, in New Delhi on October 27, 2010 (cropped).jpg
	\| image_size =		\| image_size =
	\| allegiance = {{~~IND~~}}		\| allegiance = {{flag\|India}}
	\| branch = {{army\|India}}		\| branch = {{army\|India}}
	\| serviceyears = 1970 – 2010		\| serviceyears = 1970 – 2010
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	==Post Military Career==		==Post Military Career==
	Lt. Gen Bhardwaj ~~has served as~~ a ~~Board Member~~ of the [[Welham Boys' School]] and also on the ~~Governing Council~~ of the Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, both in Dehradun.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Welham Boys' School - Board of Governors \|url=http://www.welhamboys.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Governing Council \|url=http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/}}</ref>		Lt. Gen Bhardwaj is a board member of the [[Welham Boys' School]] and also on the governing council of the Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, both in Dehradun.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Welham Boys' School - Board of Governors \|url=http://www.welhamboys.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Governing Council \|url=http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/}}</ref>

	==Honours and decorations==		==Honours and decorations==
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	[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]		[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
	[[Category:Living people]]		[[Category:Living people]]
			[[Category:Para Commandos]]
	[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
	[[Category:~~Alumni of the~~ National Defence College, India]]		[[Category:National Defence College, India alumni]]
			[[Category:Indian military attachés]]

>DEFCON5: /* Career */ Removed MOS:PUFFERY

2021-06-20T04:19:49Z

Career: Removed MOS:PUFFERY

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant General]]
| name = P. C. Bhardwaj
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vir Chakra|VrC]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, paying homage, at Amar Jawan Jyoti on the occasion of Infantry Day, in New Delhi on October 27, 2010 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears = 1970 – 2010
| rank = [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[Lieutenant General]]
| servicenumber = IC-24178P<ref name="colonel"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST BEFORE 26 JAN 2009 |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=46977}}</ref>
| unit = [[Para (Special Forces)|1 Para (SF)]]
| commands = [[File:IA_Northern_Command.jpg|20px]] [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Army]] [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]] 17 Mountain Division [[Para (Special Forces)|1 Para (SF)]]
| battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] [[Operation Pawan]] [[Kargil War]]
| battles_label =
| awards = [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|20px]] [[Vir Chakra]] [[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Shaurya Chakra]] [[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
}}

[[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]] '''Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vir Chakra|VrC]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] is a former [[General Officer]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He last served as the [[Vice Chief of Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Army Staff]], having assumed office on 1 October 2009 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Gen P C Bhardwaj to take over as Army Vice Chief on Oct 1 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-gen-p-c-bhardwaj-to-take-over-as-army-vice-chief-on-oct-1-57649-2009-09-30}}</ref> He also served as the [[General officer commanding#Usage in the Indian Army|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]. He is one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army, with a war-time gallantry award and a peace-time gallantry award to his name.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj, takes over as Vice Army Chief |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=52927}}</ref>

==Career==
Lieutenant General PC Bhardwaj was commissioned into 1st battalion, [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] on 14 June 1970. He is an alumnus of [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]], [[Indian Military Academy]], [[Defence Services Staff College|Defence Services Staff College, Wellington]] and [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]].

A specialist in Special Operations, he was the first person from the Indian Army to undergo the rigorous Commando Divers Course at Naval Diving School. He excelled on the course, qualifying as an instructor. He has also attended the Special Forces Officers Course at [[Fort Bragg]] in the US and earned an instructor rating.

He commanded his battalion, 1 Para (Commando), in counter-insurgency operations along India's eastern border with [[China]] and [[Myanmar]], and later commanded counter-insurgency Force Delta in Doda/Kishtwar. He commanded a mountain brigade in [[Nagaland]] and also the elite [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]]. As a brigadier, he commanded an infantry brigade and was the deputy director general at the Directorate General of Military Operations, Army Headquarters. He was appointed as the [[Military attaché|Defence Attache]] at Embassy of India at [[Yangon]] in [[Myanmar]] from 1994 to 1997.
As a [[Major General]], he was the General Officer Commanding Delhi Area where he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] for distinguished service. Upon promotion to the rank of [[Lieutenant General]], he commanded [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]], responsible for the vast areas of [[Ladakh]] and the [[Siachen Glacier]] before assuming command of [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]] on 1 March 2008. Upon being awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2009, he became the most decorated soldier in the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lt Gen Bhardwaj is Army's Northern Command's new chief |url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lt-gen-bhardwaj-is-armys-northern-commands-new-chief_427671.html | date=1 March 2008 | publisher=Zee News | access-date=24 January 2020 }}</ref>

==Post Military Career==
Lt. Gen Bhardwaj has served as a Board Member of the [[Welham Boys' School]] and also on the Governing Council of the Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, both in Dehradun.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welham Boys' School - Board of Governors |url=http://www.welhamboys.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Governing Council |url=http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/about/governing-council/}}</ref>

==Honours and decorations==

===Vir Chakra Citation===
As a Second Lieutenant, Bhardwaj was awarded the [[Vir Chakra]] for operations during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. His Vir Chakra citation reads as follows.<ref>{{cite web |title=2/LT Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj}}</ref>

{{Quotation|{{center|'''CITATION''' '''SECOND LIEUTENANT PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}

On the night of 16 December 1971, Second Lieutenant Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj, a platoon commander in a battalion of the Parachute Regiment, formed part of the company which was assigned the task of capturing an enemy position in the Ferozepore Sector. This position was held in strength by the enemy and protected by mines and obstacles. During the assault, his platoon came under the effective fire of an enemy machine gun firing from a bunker. Second Lieutenant Bhardwaj, with utter disregard for his safety, charged the bunker, lobbed a grenade inside and immediately thereafter, rushing inside the bunker, he bayoneted the personnel and captured the medium machine gun. In this process he was injured by a bullet in the forehead. Undeterred by his injury, he pressed on with the assault and charged another machine gun bunker. Here again, he followed up his grenade attack with the bayonet and succeeded in capturing the second machine gun.

In this action, Second Lieutenant Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order.}}

===Shaurya Chakra Citation===
As a Colonel, Bhardwaj was also awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] for a rescue operation where tourists who were stranded in a cable car were rescued in a joint operation conducted by 1 Para (Commando) and the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |title=COL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ, VrC, SHAURYA CHAKRA |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/prabodh-chandra-bhardwaj-vrc}}</ref> His Shaurya Chakra citation reads as follows:

{{Quotation|{{center|'''CITATION''' '''COLONEL PRABODH CHANDRA BHARDWAJ'''}}

On 13th October 92 at 1930 hours, Commanding Officer 1 Para (Commando) was informed that 10 passengers were stranded in a cable car due to snapping of a haulage. The cable car was suspended in mid air at a height of 1300 feet, about 500 from the terminus at Timber Trail, Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. He was asked to move to the site and launch a special rescue mission. Within a short time, a team of five trained officers and personnel was selected for this purpose. Major Ivan Joseph Crasto was asked to lead the team. Over the next one hour, the Commanding Officer assembled the team, discussed the various options and collected the diverse equipment which could be utilised for heliborne as well as ground based rescue operations. At 0930 hours on 14 October 92 the Commanding Officer and Major Ivan Joseph Crasto carried out detailed aerial recce with the pilots. At 1630 hours, the Mi-17 mission was launched. The Commanding Officer personally accompanied Major Crasto to supervise the landing on the stranded cable car and to deal with emergencies. This attempt failed because of a number of problems. After several attempts Major Crasto could be lowered and he landed on the top of the cable car. Colonel Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj accompanied each sortie to supervise the rescue operation, on the 14th and 15th October 92. In conducting the overall heli-rescue operation, Colonel Bhardwaj displayed high order of planning, organising and risk-taking capabilities. Even though he faced several odds and he knew that the operation was extremely hazardous, he did not give up and ensured that the operation was a success. In this operation, he displayed confidence, courage, resoluteness of purpose, determination and valour.

Colonel Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj, VrC has thus displayed exemplary courage, bravery, determination, technical skill and professional competence in making a task, full of hazards, completely successful.}}

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|
|-
|[[File:Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Paschimi Star Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sangram Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 25th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Vir Chakra]]
|[[Shaurya Chakra]]
|[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Wound Medal]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Paschimi Star]]
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Sangram Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Parakram Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|25th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}

==Dates of rank==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
|align="center" |[[File:2nd_Lieutenant_Indian_Army.gif|35px]] || [[Second Lieutenant]] || [[Indian Army]] || 14 June 1970<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1209 |date=16 October 1971 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant]] || Indian Army || 14 June 1972<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1448 |date=30 September 1972 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || Indian Army || 14 June 1976<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1662 |date=4 December 1976 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major]] || Indian Army || 14 June 1983
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] || Indian Army || 1 November 1991<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1374 |date=24 July 1993 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Colonel]] || Indian Army || 1 February 1993<ref name="colonel">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=939 |date=14 May 1994 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Brigadier_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Brigadier]] || Indian Army || 18 June 1999<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=20 |date=3 January 2004 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Major_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major general#India|Major General]] || Indian Army || 29 June 2004<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1208 |date=2 September 2006 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-General]] || Indian Army || 30 January 2007 (seniority from 1 October 2006)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1429 |date=15 September 2007 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{s-start}}

{{s-mil}}{{Succession box
| title = [[Vice Chief of Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Army Staff]]
| years = 1 October 2009 – 30 November 2010
| before = Noble Thamburaj
| after = Avtar Singh Lamba
}}{{Succession box
| title = [[General officer commanding#Usage in the Indian Army|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]
| years = 1 March 2008 – 30 September 2009
| before = [[Harcharanjit Singh Panag]]
| after = Baljit Singh Jaswal
}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhardwaj, Prabodh Chandra}}
[[Category:Vice Chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Shaurya Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Alumni of the National Defence College, India]]