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{{Short description|Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| name = Rajiv Ghai
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|SYSM|UYSM|AVSM|SM}}[[Medal Bar|***]]
| image = File:Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| alt =
| caption =
| office = [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)|Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)]]
| term_start = 10 June 2025
| term_end =
| 1blankname = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]]
| 1namedata = [[Upendra Dwivedi]]
| predecessor = [[Pratik Sharma]]
| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears = 16 December 1989 - Present
| rank = [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|20px]] [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| military_blank1 = Service number
| military_data1 = IC-48989Y <ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 1992 |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1992/O-0469-1992-0021-18756.pdf |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=egazette.gov.in |publisher=The Gazette of India |page=12}}</ref>
| unit = [[File:Kumaon Regiment, Indian Army.svg|21px]] [[Kumaon Regiment]]
| commands = {{plainlist|
* [[File:XV Corps, Indian Army.svg|21px]] [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]]
* 56th Infantry Division
}}
| battles =
| battles_label =
| military_blank2 = Awards
| military_data2 = {{plainlist|
* [[File:Sarvottam_Yudh_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Uttam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Sena Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Sena Medal|Bar to Sena Medal & Bar]]
}}
| alma_mater =
}}
[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] '''Rajiv Ghai''', [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal|SYSM]], [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal|UYSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM***]] is a serving general officer of the [[Indian Army]]. He is presently serving as the [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)|Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-09 |title=Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-rajiv-ghai-appointed-deputy-chief-of-army-staff-strategy/articleshow/121725233.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2026-03-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> He previously served as the [[Director General of Military Operations (India)|Director General of Military Operations]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=25 Oct 2024 |title=Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai assumed the appointment of Director General of Military Operations |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1849834020974076312?s=20 |access-date=9 March 2026 |website=X (formerly twitter)}}</ref> prior to that he was [[XV Corps (India)|General Officer Commanding XV Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai assumes Chinar Corps command |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/lt-gen-rajiv-ghai-assumes-chinar-corps-command-517171/ |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref> He is also the Colonel of the [[Kumaon Regiment]] & [[Naga Regiment]] & Kumaon SCOUTS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-24 |title=Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai Assumes Prestigious Mantle as Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment, Kumaon Scouts, and Naga Regiment |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2026/03/lieutenant-general-rajiv-ghai-assumes-prestigious-mantle-as-colonel-of-the-kumaon-regiment-kumaon-scouts-and-naga-regiment.html |access-date=2026-03-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
He is an alumnus of the [[National Defence Academy]], [[Khadakwasla]] and the [[Indian Military Academy]], [[Dehradun]]. He is also an alumnus of the [[Defence Services Staff College]], Wellington, the [[Army War College, Mhow]] and the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]], [[New Delhi]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-25 |title=Speakers Page - Indian Military |url=https://usiofindia.org/milfest/speaker/ |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Indian Military - |language=en}}</ref>

==Military Career==
The general officer was commissioned into the [[Kumaon Regiment]] on 16 December 1989 from the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 1992 |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1992/O-0469-1992-0021-18756.pdf |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=egazette.gov.in |publisher=The Gazette of India |page=12}}</ref> In a career spanning over three decades, he has undertaken numerous command, staff and instructional appointments. He has vast experience in conventional as well as counter terrorist operations and has served as a company commander in Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu & Kashmir and with his battalion in insurgency in the northeast. He has commanded an infantry battalion in western sector, an independent brigade in northern sector and was General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 56th Infantry Division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major General Rajiv Ghai, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Indian Army’s 56 Infantry Division called on State Governor Brig (Retd) Dr BD Mishra at Raj Bhavan |url=https://www.easternsentinel.in/news/state/armys-56-infantry-division-goc-calls-on-governor.html |access-date=9 March 2026}}</ref> His staff appointment include serving as GSO-1 in Military Operation Directorate, Staff Officer to Military Secretary , Colonel General Staff at [[25th Infantry Division (India)|25 Infantry Division]], Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at the [[Integrated Defence Staff]], Brigadier Military Operations at the Military Operations Directorate and MG GS at [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]].<ref name=":1" /> He also served with the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|United Nations Missions in Lebanon]] as a staff officer. He has done instructional tenures as an instructor at Infantry School, [[Mhow]] and at the [[Defence Services Staff College]], Wellington.<ref name=":1" />

After being promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]], on 15 June 2023 he took over as the [[XV Corps (India)|General Officer Commanding XV Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai assumes command of Chinar Corps |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/lieutenant-general-rajiv-ghai-assumes-command-of-chinar-corps-urges-dedication-and-pursuit-of-peace-in-kashmir-101686768363096.html |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> A year and a half later on 25 October 2024, he assumed the appointment of [[Director General of Military Operations (India)|Director General of Military Operations]].<ref name=":0" /> As DGMO, he spearheaded India's planning & execution of [[Operation Sindoor]]. After his stint as DGMO, on 10 June 2025, [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Rajiv Ghai took over as the [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)#Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)|Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai promoted as army deputy chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lieutenant-general-rajiv-ghai-promoted-as-army-deputy-chief-101749497613221.html |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and decorations ==
The general officer has been awarded with the [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]] on Independence Day 2025 for his role during [[2025 India–Pakistan conflict|Operation Sindoor]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=PIB Delhi}}</ref> the [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal]] on Republic Day 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 11 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096200 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2023 and [[Sena Medal|Bar to Sena Medal & Bar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2021 |title=Part 1 Section 4: Ministry of Defence |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2021/228628.pdf |website=egazette.gov.in |publisher=THE GAZETTE OF INDIA}}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| [[File:Sarvottam_Yudh_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|frameless|105x105px]]
|[[File:Uttam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|frameless|105x105px]]
|[[File:Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|frameless|105x105px]]
|[[File:Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Special_Service_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_High_Altitude_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Videsh_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_50th_Anniversary_Independence_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:UN UNIFIL Medal ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|[[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
|[[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal]]
|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Sena Medal]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Special Service Medal (India)|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[High Altitude Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|[[50th Independence Anniversary 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]]
|[[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghai, Rajiv}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Deputy chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Rajiv Ghai - Revision history

RosemaryBrifman: adding new pg & citations