General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS (Chief of Defense Staff) of India. He was also the former Chief of Army Staff of India.
General Bipin Rawat was born on March 16, 1958 in Pauri, Uttarakhand, India. He belonged to a military family, his father Laxman Singh Rawat served in the Indian Army. After graduating from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, Bipin Rawat was commissioned into the fifth battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in December 1978.
Throughout his career, General Rawat has held various command and staff appointments. He has held several key operational and staff positions and gained extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations and high altitude warfare in the challenging terrain of India.
Rawat held prestigious appointments such as Brigade Major of the Infantry Brigade, Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General at Headquarters 19 Infantry Division and General Staff Officer Grade 2 in the Directorate of Military Operations. He also served as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and was part of the Directorate General of Military Operations at Army Headquarters.
Due to his excellent leadership abilities he quickly rose through the ranks. In 2011, he was appointed as the General Officer Commanding 19th Infantry Division in Jammu and Kashmir, where he played a key role in handling counter-insurgency operations in the region.
In 2016, General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. As COAS, he focused on modernizing the Indian Army, enhancing its operational capabilities, and addressing various security challenges faced by the nation.
Under his leadership, the Indian Army conducted several significant operations including surgical strikes against terrorist hideouts across the Line of Control (LOC) in response to terrorist attacks on Indian soil. He also stressed the need for jointness and integration among the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
General Rawat was known for his strategic vision, operational skills and dedication towards the welfare of the troops. He received numerous awards and decorations during his illustrious career, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UVSM), and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
On January 1, 2020, General Rawat was given the joint leadership of the three armies of India i.e. Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force i.e. General Bipin Rawat became the first CDS of India.
Sadly, General Bipin Rawat's life ended in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021. His death was mourned throughout the country.
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