robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page. |
minor cleanup |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|29th Chief of the Army Staff (India)}} | {{short description|29th Chief of the Army Staff (India)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| honorific_prefix | | honorific_prefix = [[General (India)|General]] | ||
| name | | name = Manoj Pande | ||
| honorific_suffix | | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|PVSM|AVSM|VSM|ADC}} | ||
| native_name | | native_name = | ||
| native_name_lang | | native_name_lang = | ||
| image | | image = File:Gen Manoj Pandey.jpg | ||
| image_size | | image_size = 230px | ||
| alt | | alt = | ||
| caption | | caption = Official Portrait, 2022 | ||
| birth_date | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|05|6|df=y}}<ref name="PIB_COAS">{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1817865|title=Government appoints Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as next Chief of Army Staff|date=18 April 2022|website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> | ||
| height | | height = {{convert|1.70|m}} | ||
| death_date | | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} death date first, then birth date --> | ||
| birth_place | | birth_place = [[Nagpur]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]] | ||
| death_place | | death_place = | ||
| placeofburial | | placeofburial = | ||
| placeofburial_label = | | placeofburial_label = | ||
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | | placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | ||
| office | | office = 29th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] | ||
| term_start | | term_start = 30 April 2022 | ||
| term_end | | term_end = 30 June 2024 | ||
| president | | president = {{ubl|[[Ram Nath Kovind]]|[[Droupadi Murmu]]}} | ||
| predecessor = [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] | |||
| predecessor | | successor = [[Upendra Dwivedi]] | ||
| successor | | office1 = 43rd [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]] | ||
| office1 | | term_start1 = 1 February 2022 | ||
| term_start1 | | term_end1 = 30 April 2022 | ||
| term_end1 | | 1blankname1 = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]] | ||
| predecessor1 | | 1namedata1 = [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] | ||
| successor1 | | predecessor1 = [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] | ||
| office2 | | successor1 = [[B. S. Raju]] | ||
| term_start2 | | office2 = [[Eastern Command (India)|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command]] | ||
| term_end2 | | term_start2 = {{start date|2021|06|01|df=yes}} | ||
| 1blankname2 | | term_end2 = {{end date|2022|01|31|df=yes}} | ||
| 1namedata2 | | 1blankname2 = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]] | ||
| predecessor2 | | 1namedata2 = [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] | ||
| successor2 | | predecessor2 = [[Anil Chauhan]] | ||
| nickname | | successor2 = [[Rana Pratap Kalita]] | ||
| birth_name | | office3 = [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command|Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN)]] | ||
| allegiance | | term_start3 = 1 June 2020 | ||
| branch | | term_end3 = 31 May 2021 | ||
| serviceyears | | predecessor3 = [[Podali Shankar Rajeshwar]] | ||
| rank | | successor3 = [[Ajai Singh (lieutenant general)|Ajai Singh]] | ||
| military_blank1 | | nickname = | ||
| military_data1 | | birth_name = | ||
| unit | | allegiance = {{flag|India}} | ||
| commands | | branch = {{army|India}} | ||
| battles | | serviceyears = 24 December 1982 – 30 June 2024 | ||
| battles_label | | rank = [[File:General of the Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[General (India)|General]] | ||
| | | military_blank1 = Service number | ||
| spouse | | military_data1 = IC-40716F<ref name="commission"/> | ||
| relations | | unit = [[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]]<br/>[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]<br /> 267 Engineer Regiment | ||
| laterwork | | commands = [[File:Eastern Command (India).png|20px]] [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]<br/> [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]]<br/>[[File:IV Corps (India).svg|20px]] [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]]<br/>[[File:8 Mountain Division.png|20px]] [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8 Mountain Division]]<br/>52 Infantry Brigade<br/>117 Engineer Regiment | ||
| signature | | battles = | ||
| website | | battles_label = | ||
| other_name | | military_blank2 = Awards | ||
| memorials | | military_data2 = {{plainlist| | ||
| signature_size | *[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
| signature_alt | *[[File:Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
| module | *[[File:Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
}} | |||
| spouse = Archana Pande | |||
| relations = | |||
| laterwork = | |||
| signature = | |||
| website = | |||
| other_name = | |||
| memorials = | |||
| signature_size = | |||
| signature_alt = | |||
| module = | |||
}} | }} | ||
[[General (India)|General]] '''Manoj Pande''' | [[General (India)|General]] '''Manoj Pande''' {{post-nominals|country=IND|PVSM|AVSM|VSM|ADC}} (born 6 May 1962) is a retired four star [[general officer]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He last served as the 29th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=ABP News |date=2024-06-30 |title=Outgoing Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande Receives Guard Of Honour On Last Day In Office: Watch |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/gen-manoj-pande-receives-guard-of-honour-retirement-gen-upendra-dwivedi-1699176 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-04-30 |title=Gen. Manoj Pande takes charge as 29th Army Chief |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gen-manoj-pande-takes-charge-as-army-chief/article65369625.ece |access-date=2024-05-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Government appoints Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as next Chief of Army Staff |url=https://www.mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/ltgenpt19422.pdf |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> He previously served as 43rd [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-02-01 |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande assumes charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/Feb/01/lt-gen-manoj-pande-assumes-charge-as-vice-chief-of-army-staff-2413908.html |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> prior to that he was [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command|General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-30 |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande to take charge as Eastern Command chief on June 1 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-gen-manoj-pande-to-take-charge-as-eastern-command-chief-on-june-1-1808787-2021-05-30 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and also as the [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command|Commander-in-Chief]] (CINCAN) of [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande has been appointed as the next chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command at Port Blair. |url=https://x.com/ANI/status/1255888341209427976 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref> He also served as [[IV Corps (India)|General Officer Commanding IV Corps]],<ref name="Pande_IV_Corps">{{Cite news |date=2018-12-30 |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes charge of Gajraj Corps |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-charge-of-gajraj-corps-118123000518_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402204742/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-charge-of-gajraj-corps-118123000518_1.html |archive-date=2 April 2019 |access-date=2019-01-11 |work=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> before assuming the appointment as commander of [[IV Corps (India)|Gajraj Corps (IV Corps)]] he was serving as the Chief of Staff, [[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes over as new chief of Southern Command Pune |url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-southern-command-pune/other/news/976506.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402193231/http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-southern-command-pune/other/news/976506.html |archive-date=2 April 2019 |access-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> He is the first officer from the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] to become the Army Chief.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army Chief: Lt Gen Manoj Pande becomes first engineer to be appointed as Army chief - The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-manoj-pande-becomes-first-engineer-to-be-appointed-as-army-chief/articleshow/90915880.cms |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=The Economic Times}}</ref> | ||
As the COAS, he took over as the [[Colonel commandant|Honorary Colonel]] of the [[Sikh Light Infantry|Sikh Light Infantry Regiment]] on 11 May 2022 and as the [[Colonel (India)#Colonel of the regiment|Colonel of the Regiment]] of the [[61st Cavalry (India)|61st Cavalry]] on 17 May 2022. He became the 23rd COAS to take over | As the COAS, he took over as the [[Colonel commandant|Honorary Colonel]] of the [[Sikh Light Infantry|Sikh Light Infantry Regiment]] on 11 May 2022 and as the [[Colonel (India)#Colonel of the regiment|Colonel of the Regiment]] of the [[61st Cavalry (India)|61st Cavalry]] on 17 May 2022. He became the 23rd COAS to take over Colonel of the mounted [[Cavalry|Cavalry Regiment]]. He was appointed as the Honorary Colonel Commandant of the [[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]] for lifetime wef 27 August 2024.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2025/268912.pdf |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=egazette.gov.in |publisher=The Gazette of India |page=176}}</ref> | ||
== Early life and education == | == Early life and education == | ||
He was born to Dr. C. G. Pande, a consulting [[Psychotherapist]] who retired as the Head of the Department of [[Psychology]] of [[Nagpur University]], and Prema, an announcer and host with the [[All India Radio]]. The family hails from [[Nagpur]].<ref name="Nagpur Today">{{cite web|last1=Today |first1=Nagpur |title=Nagpurian appointed as Chief of Staff at Southern Command Headquarters |url=https://www.nagpurtoday.in/nagpurian-appointed-as-chief-of-staff-at-southern-command-headquarters/09020915 |website=www.nagpurtoday.in|date=2 September 2017 }}</ref> After his schooling from [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]], he joined the 61st-course of the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] (NDA) in January 1979 and was assigned to the Lima squadron, where he graduated with the degree of [[Bachelor of Science]]. After graduating from the NDA, he joined the [[Indian Military Academy]] and was commissioned as an officer. He subsequently attended the [[College of Military Engineering]], [[Pune]] and earned a [[Bachelor of Technology]] degree in [[Civil Engineering]].<ref name="PIB Bio" /> | |||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
Pande was commissioned into the [[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]], one of the regiments in the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]], in December 1982. He attended the [[Staff College, Camberley]] in the United Kingdom. After completing the course, he returned to India and was appointed [[brigade major]] of a mountain brigade in [[Northeast India]].<ref name="UNI" /> After promotion to the rank of [[ | Gen Pande was commissioned into the (267 Engineer Regiment) [[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]], one of the regiments in the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]], in December 1982. He attended the [[Staff College, Camberley]] in the United Kingdom. After completing the course, he returned to India and was appointed [[brigade major]] of a mountain brigade in [[Northeast India]].<ref name="UNI">{{cite web |title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes over as new chief of Southern Command Pune |url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-southern-command-pune/other/news/976506.html | date=31 August 2017 |agency=United News of India | access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> After promotion to the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]], he served as the Chief Engineer at the [[United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea]].<ref name="PIB Bio" /> | ||
He has commanded the 117 Engineer Regiment along the [[Line of Control]] (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He was in command of the regiment during [[Operation Parakram]].<ref name="IDS Bio">{{cite web |title=Integrated Defence Staff |url=https://www.ids.nic.in/ancommand.php |website=www.ids.nic.in}}</ref> He then attended the [[Army War College, Mhow]] and completed the Higher Command Course. After the course, he was appointed Colonel Q at HQ [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8 Mountain Division]].<ref name="IDS Bio" /> The division was then commanded by the [[Major general (India)|Major General]] [[Dalbir Singh Suhag]].<ref name="TIE" /> He was then promoted to the rank of [[Brigadier (India)|brigadier]] and given command of an engineer brigade as part of a Strike Corps in the western theatre.<ref name="IDS Bio" /> He also commanded the 52 Infantry Brigade, positioned along the LOC. He was selected to attend the prestigious [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]].<ref name="PIB Bio">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General Manoj Pande takes over as Commander-In-Chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command Tomorrow; |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1628164 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> After completing the course, he was appointed Brigadier General Staff Operations (BGS-Ops) at HQ [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]. | |||
On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff, [[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]].<ref name=":6" /> A year later he was appointed as [[IV Corps (India)|General Officer Commanding IV Corps]].<ref name="Pande_IV_Corps" /> On 1 June 2020, Gen Pande assumed the appointment of [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command|Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command]].<ref name=":5" /> On 1 June 2021, he took over as the [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command|General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command]] succeeding [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Anil Chauhan]].<ref name=":4" /> | |||
On | On 1 February 2022, [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Manoj Pande took over as the 43rd [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]] succeeding [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]], when the latter superannuated from service on 31 January 2022.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
On 18 April 2022, the [[ | === Chief of the Army Staff === | ||
On 18 April 2022, the Government of India appointed [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] Manoj Pande as the next [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]].<ref name=":2" /> On 30 April 2022, he took over as the 29th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] succeeding General [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]].<ref name=":1" /> He was granted an extension for a period of one month till 30 June 2024 when he was due to retire on 30 May 2024. While no formal reason was given, it was speculated that the selection of his successor was delayed due to the 2024 general elections in India whose results were to be declared on 4 June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The strange case of the army chief's one month extension |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/army-chief-extension |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=caravanmagazine.in |language=en}}</ref> [[Upendra Dwivedi|General Upendra Dwivedi]] was appointed as his successor on 11 June 2024 and he took over on 30 June.<ref name="The Times of India">{{Cite news |date=2024-06-30 |title=General Upendra Dwivedi takes charge as the 30th Army chief |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/general-upendra-dwivedi-takes-charge-as-new-army-chief/articleshow/111377378.cms |access-date=2024-08-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He superannuated from service on 30 June 2024 and relinquished the appointment of [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]] after an illustrious tenure of 26 months.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2024 |title=On the day of relinquishing the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande COAS, laid a wreath at the hallowed precincts of the National War Memorial to honour the sacrifice and valour of the Bravehearts. |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1807282248364052812 |website=X (formerly twitter)}}</ref> | |||
On | |||
== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Pande married Archana | Gen Pande married Mrs. Archana Pande, a gold medalist from Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur on 3 May 1987. The couple have a son who is an officer in the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref name="TIE">{{cite web |title=The Sunday Profile: General Manoj Pande, the right man at the right place |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/the-sunday-profile-general-manoj-pande-the-right-man-at-the-right-place-7905926/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en |date=8 May 2022}}</ref> | ||
== Honours and decorations == | == Honours and decorations == | ||
| Line 94: | Line 101: | ||
{|- style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | {|- style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | ||
| | | colspan="4" |[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|100px]] [[File:Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|100x100px]] [[File:Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|100x100px]] | ||
|[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg| | |||
|[[File: | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_Special_Service_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_High_Altitude_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:IND_Videsh_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105x105px]] | ||
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]] | |[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 114: | Line 118: | ||
|[[File:Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Medal ribbon.png|105px]] | |[[File:Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Medal ribbon.png|105px]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center | {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] | |[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] | | colspan="2" |[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
| | |[[Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[ | |[[Special Service Medal (India)|Special Service]] | ||
[[Special Service Medal (India)|Medal]] | |||
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]] | |[[Operation Vijay Medal]] | ||
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]] | |[[Operation Parakram Medal]] | ||
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[ | |[[High Altitude Medal|High Altitude Service Medal]] | ||
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]] | |[[Videsh Seva Medal]] | ||
|[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Independence Anniversary Medal]] | |||
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]] | |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 138: | Line 142: | ||
== Dates of rank == | == Dates of rank == | ||
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white" | {| class="wikitable" style="background:white" | ||
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank | ! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 147: | Line 151: | ||
|align="center" |[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || Indian Army || 24 December 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1723 |date=26 November 1988|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1988/O-0635-1988-0048-28050.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | |align="center" |[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || Indian Army || 24 December 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1723 |date=26 November 1988|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1988/O-0635-1988-0048-28050.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|align="center" |[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major]] || Indian Army || 24 December 1993<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=940 |date=14 May 1994|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1994/O-0362-1994-0020-14323.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | |align="center" |[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major (rank)|Major]] || Indian Army || 24 December 1993<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=940 |date=14 May 1994|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1994/O-0362-1994-0020-14323.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] || Indian Army || 16 December 2004<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1895 |date=15 October 2005|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2005/W_42_2012_119.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | |align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] || Indian Army || 16 December 2004<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1895 |date=15 October 2005|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2005/W_42_2012_119.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | ||
| Line 159: | Line 163: | ||
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant-General]] || Indian Army || 1 September 2017<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=393 |date=9 February 2019|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2019/197165.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | |align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant-General]] || Indian Army || 1 September 2017<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=393 |date=9 February 2019|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2019/197165.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|align="center" |[[File:General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[General (India)|General]]<br>(COAS) || Indian Army || | |align="center" |[[File:General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[General (India)|General]]<br>(COAS) || Indian Army || 1 May 2022<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=273 |date=4 February 2023 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2023/243429.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}} | ||
</ref><ref name="PIB_COAS"/><ref name="The Times of India"/> | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 169: | Line 174: | ||
{{s-mil}}{{succession box | {{s-mil}}{{succession box | ||
| title = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] | | title = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] | ||
| years = 30 April 2022 – | | years = 30 April 2022 – 30 June 2024 | ||
| before = [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] | | before = [[Manoj Mukund Naravane]] | ||
| after = | | after = [[Upendra Dwivedi]] | ||
}}{{succession box | }}{{succession box | ||
| title = [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]] | | title = [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]] | ||
| years = 1 February 2022 | | years = 1 February 2022 – 30 April 2022 | ||
| before = [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] | | before = [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] | ||
| after = [[B. S. Raju]] | | after = [[B. S. Raju]] | ||
| Line 186: | Line 191: | ||
{{succession box | {{succession box | ||
| title = [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]] | | title = [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]] | ||
| years = 1 June 2020 | | years = 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021 | ||
| before = [[Podali Shankar Rajeshwar]] | | before = [[Podali Shankar Rajeshwar]] | ||
| after = [[Ajai Singh (general, CINCAN)|Ajai Singh]] | | after = [[Ajai Singh (general, CINCAN)|Ajai Singh]] | ||
| Line 201: | Line 206: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pande, Manoj}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Pande, Manoj}} | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
| Line 214: | Line 218: | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] | ||
[[Category:Army War College, Mhow alumni]] | [[Category:Army War College, Mhow alumni]] | ||
[[Category:Kendriya Vidyalaya alumni]] | |||
[[Category:Indian alumni of Staff College, Camberley]] | |||
[[Category:Lieutenant colonels]] | |||
Latest revision as of 12:03, 21 January 2026
General Manoj Pande PVSM AVSM VSM ADC (born 6 May 1962) is a retired four star general officer of the Indian Army. He last served as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff.[3][4][5] He previously served as 43rd Vice Chief of the Army Staff,[6] prior to that he was General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command[7] and also as the Commander-in-Chief (CINCAN) of Andaman and Nicobar Command.[8] He also served as General Officer Commanding IV Corps,[9] before assuming the appointment as commander of Gajraj Corps (IV Corps) he was serving as the Chief of Staff, Southern Command.[10] He is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the Army Chief.[11]
As the COAS, he took over as the Honorary Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment on 11 May 2022 and as the Colonel of the Regiment of the 61st Cavalry on 17 May 2022. He became the 23rd COAS to take over Colonel of the mounted Cavalry Regiment. He was appointed as the Honorary Colonel Commandant of the Bombay Sappers for lifetime wef 27 August 2024.[12]
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
He was born to Dr. C. G. Pande, a consulting Psychotherapist who retired as the Head of the Department of Psychology of Nagpur University, and Prema, an announcer and host with the All India Radio. The family hails from Nagpur.[13] After his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, he joined the 61st-course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in January 1979 and was assigned to the Lima squadron, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After graduating from the NDA, he joined the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer. He subsequently attended the College of Military Engineering, Pune and earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in Civil Engineering.[14]
Career[edit | edit source]
Gen Pande was commissioned into the (267 Engineer Regiment) Bombay Sappers, one of the regiments in the Corps of Engineers, in December 1982. He attended the Staff College, Camberley in the United Kingdom. After completing the course, he returned to India and was appointed brigade major of a mountain brigade in Northeast India.[15] After promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel, he served as the Chief Engineer at the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.[14]
He has commanded the 117 Engineer Regiment along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He was in command of the regiment during Operation Parakram.[16] He then attended the Army War College, Mhow and completed the Higher Command Course. After the course, he was appointed Colonel Q at HQ 8 Mountain Division.[16] The division was then commanded by the Major General Dalbir Singh Suhag.[17] He was then promoted to the rank of brigadier and given command of an engineer brigade as part of a Strike Corps in the western theatre.[16] He also commanded the 52 Infantry Brigade, positioned along the LOC. He was selected to attend the prestigious National Defence College.[14] After completing the course, he was appointed Brigadier General Staff Operations (BGS-Ops) at HQ Eastern Command.
On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff, Southern Command.[10] A year later he was appointed as General Officer Commanding IV Corps.[9] On 1 June 2020, Gen Pande assumed the appointment of Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command.[8] On 1 June 2021, he took over as the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command succeeding Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan.[7]
On 1 February 2022, Lieutenant General Manoj Pande took over as the 43rd Vice Chief of the Army Staff succeeding Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, when the latter superannuated from service on 31 January 2022.[6]
Chief of the Army Staff[edit | edit source]
On 18 April 2022, the Government of India appointed Lieutenant General Manoj Pande as the next Chief of the Army Staff.[5] On 30 April 2022, he took over as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff succeeding General Manoj Mukund Naravane.[4] He was granted an extension for a period of one month till 30 June 2024 when he was due to retire on 30 May 2024. While no formal reason was given, it was speculated that the selection of his successor was delayed due to the 2024 general elections in India whose results were to be declared on 4 June.[18] General Upendra Dwivedi was appointed as his successor on 11 June 2024 and he took over on 30 June.[19] He superannuated from service on 30 June 2024 and relinquished the appointment of Chief of Army Staff after an illustrious tenure of 26 months.[20]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Gen Pande married Mrs. Archana Pande, a gold medalist from Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur on 3 May 1987. The couple have a son who is an officer in the Indian Air Force.[17]
Honours and decorations[edit | edit source]
He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal,[21] Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vishisht Seva Medal.[22][23] Apart from these, he has been awarded the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card and two GOC-in-C commendation cards.[15]
Dates of rank[edit | edit source]
| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | Indian Army | 24 December 1982[2] | |
| Lieutenant | Indian Army | 24 December 1984[24] | |
| Captain | Indian Army | 24 December 1987[25] | |
| Major | Indian Army | 24 December 1993[26] | |
| Lieutenant-Colonel | Indian Army | 16 December 2004[27] | |
| Colonel | Indian Army | 1 March 2006[28] | |
| Brigadier | Indian Army | 1 April 2010 (substantive, seniority from 25 January 2009)[29] | |
| Major General | Indian Army | 1 July 2015 (substantive, seniority from 12 June 2012)[30] | |
| Lieutenant-General | Indian Army | 1 September 2017[31] | |
| General (COAS) |
Indian Army | 1 May 2022[32][1][19] |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Government appoints Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as next Chief of Army Staff". Press Information Bureau. 18 April 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 November 1984. p. 1810.
- ↑ Bureau, ABP News (30 June 2024). "Outgoing Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande Receives Guard Of Honour On Last Day In Office: Watch". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Gen. Manoj Pande takes charge as 29th Army Chief". The Hindu. 30 April 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Government appoints Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as next Chief of Army Staff" (PDF). pib.gov.in. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 PTI (1 February 2022). "Lt Gen Manoj Pande assumes charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Lt Gen Manoj Pande to take charge as Eastern Command chief on June 1". India Today. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Lt Gen Manoj Pande has been appointed as the next chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command at Port Blair". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes charge of Gajraj Corps". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 30 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes over as new chief of Southern Command Pune". Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ↑ "Army Chief: Lt Gen Manoj Pande becomes first engineer to be appointed as Army chief - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). egazette.gov.in. The Gazette of India. p. 176. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ Today, Nagpur (2 September 2017). "Nagpurian appointed as Chief of Staff at Southern Command Headquarters". www.nagpurtoday.in.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Lieutenant General Manoj Pande takes over as Commander-In-Chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command Tomorrow;". pib.gov.in.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes over as new chief of Southern Command Pune". United News of India. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Integrated Defence Staff". www.ids.nic.in.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "The Sunday Profile: General Manoj Pande, the right man at the right place". The Indian Express. 8 May 2022.
- ↑ "The strange case of the army chief's one month extension". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "General Upendra Dwivedi takes charge as the 30th Army chief". The Times of India. 30 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ↑ "On the day of relinquishing the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande COAS, laid a wreath at the hallowed precincts of the National War Memorial to honour the sacrifice and valour of the Bravehearts". X (formerly twitter). 30 June 2024.
- ↑ "HONOURS AND AWARDS : REPUBLIC DAY 2022" (PDF). PIB.
- ↑ "h17". www.sainiksamachar.nic.in.
- ↑ "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". www.indianarmy.nic.in.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 31 May 1986. p. 887.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 26 November 1988. p. 1723.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 14 May 1994. p. 940.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 15 October 2005. p. 1895.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 21 April 2007. p. 636.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 16 February 2013. p. 274.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 21 May 2016. p. 1310.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 9 February 2019. p. 393.
- ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 4 February 2023. p. 273.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Manoj Mukund Naravane |
Chief of the Army Staff 30 April 2022 – 30 June 2024 |
Succeeded by Upendra Dwivedi |
| Preceded by Chandi Prasad Mohanty |
Vice Chief of the Army Staff 1 February 2022 – 30 April 2022 |
Succeeded by B. S. Raju |
| Preceded by Anil Chauhan |
General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command 1 June 2021 – 31 January 2022 |
Succeeded by Rana Pratap Kalita |
| Preceded by Podali Shankar Rajeshwar |
Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021 |
Succeeded by Ajai Singh |
| Preceded by Gurpal Singh Sangha |
General Officer Commanding IV Corps December 2018 - December 2019 |
Succeeded by Shantanu Dayal |
