Rajiv Ghai

Lieutenant General
Rajiv Ghai
SYSM UYSM AVSM SM***
Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)
Incumbent
Assumed office
10 June 2025
Chief of Army StaffUpendra Dwivedi
Preceded byPratik Sharma
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Army
Years of service16 December 1989 - Present
Rank Lieutenant General
Unit Kumaon Regiment
Commands
Service numberIC-48989Y [1]
Awards

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, SYSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM*** is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He is presently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy).[2] He previously served as the Director General of Military Operations,[3] prior to that he was General Officer Commanding XV Corps.[4] He is also the Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment & Naga Regiment & Kumaon SCOUTS.[5]

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, New Delhi.[6]

Military Career

The general officer was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment on 16 December 1989 from the Indian Military Academy.[7] 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.[8] His staff appointment include serving as GSO-1 in Military Operation Directorate, Staff Officer to Military Secretary , Colonel General Staff at 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.[6] He also served with the 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.[6]

After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, on 15 June 2023 he took over as the General Officer Commanding XV Corps.[9] A year and a half later on 25 October 2024, he assumed the appointment of Director General of Military Operations.[3] As DGMO, he spearheaded India's planning & execution of Operation Sindoor. After his stint as DGMO, on 10 June 2025, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai took over as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy).[10]

Awards and decorations

The general officer has been awarded with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his role during Operation Sindoor,[11] the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal on Republic Day 2025,[12] the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Bar to Sena Medal & Bar.[13]

Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Uttam Yudh Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Sena Medal
Samanya Seva Medal Special Service Medal Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal
High Altitude Medal Videsh Seva Medal 75th Independence Anniversary Medal 50th Independence Anniversary Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal UNIFIL

References

  1. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). egazette.gov.in. The Gazette of India. 23 May 1992. p. 12. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)". The Economic Times. 9 June 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai assumed the appointment of Director General of Military Operations". X (formerly twitter). 25 October 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai assumes Chinar Corps command". The Tribune. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai Assumes Prestigious Mantle as Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment, Kumaon Scouts, and Naga Regiment". 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "Speakers Page - Indian Military". Indian Military -. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). egazette.gov.in. The Gazette of India. 23 May 1992. p. 12. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  8. ^ "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". Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai assumes command of Chinar Corps". Hindustan Times. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai promoted as army deputy chief". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  11. ^ "President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day". PIB Delhi. 14 August 2025.
  12. ^ "President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 11 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Part 1 Section 4: Ministry of Defence" (PDF). egazette.gov.in. THE GAZETTE OF INDIA. 31 July 2021.
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