New Delhi, Apr 30

General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC takes over as the 29th Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army from General MM Naravane. He is the first engineer to be the army chief. He was previously serving as the Vice-Chief of Indian Army.

Gen Pande was commissioned on December 24, 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers).

The outgoing Gen Naravane superannuated after four decades of service. His tenure in the office will be remembered for leadership of Indian Army during the Covid-19 pandemic, resolute reply to the Northern adversary in Eastern Ladakh, and a determined push towards Atmanirbharta, besides embracing niche and disruptive technologies to fight future wars.