General Bipin Rawat has had a long and illustrious career in the Indian
Army. Born in Pauri, in Uttarakhand, he comes from a family that has been
serving the Indian Army over generations. After attending Dehradun’s Cambrian
High School and St. Edward’s School at Shimla, Rawat went on to join the National
Defence Academy, at Khadakwasla and then the Indian Military Academy at
Dehradun. He received the ‘Sword of Honour’ there.

Also Read | Watch | Indian Army destroys tanks along Arunachal border as part of drill

His other educational qualifications include graduating from the Defence
Services Staff College (DSSC), at Wellington, and the United States Army
Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. An academically
inclined individual, Rawat has an MPhil in Defence Studies, besides diplomas in
Computer Studies and Management from the University of Madras. He was also
awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy from Meerut’s Chaudhary Charan Singh
University for researching on military media strategies. General Rawat has also
authored papers on leadership and national security.

In December 1978, Rawat was commissioned to the 5th battalion of 11
Gorkha Rifles, which is the same unit where his father was serving. His military
distinguishments include experience in high altitude warfare as
well as counter-insurgency operations. Further, he has experience commanding the
Infantry battalion in the Eastern Sector, along the LAC, a Rashtriya Rifles
Sector as well as an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley. General Rawat has
also taken charge of the Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command
too.

Also Read | Explained: What we know about the Nagaland civilian deaths in army op

With
over 38 years of distinguished service under his belt, General Rawat is highly
decorated. He has received awards for distinguished service and gallantry,
along with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two separate occasions
along with the Army Commander’s Commendation. He took over as the Chief of Army
Staff in December 2016, and held the position for three years, until he was
named as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019.

Also Read | Homemaker to Army officer: The story of Jyoti Nainwal, a martyr’s wife

Currently,
reports have emerged that General Rawat was onboard a military helicopter that
has crashed in Tamil Nadu. The general’s condition remains unknown but well
wishes have started pouring in from all quarters of the country.