Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), marking another milestone in his distinguished military career. He will concurrently retain his current post as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), a critical position overseeing operational readiness and execution.
This dual role reflects the Army’s trust in Lt Gen Ghai’s leadership and deep strategic acumen, especially as he continues to shape India’s military posture in increasingly complex regional and global scenarios. While Lt Gen Ghai takes over the strategic vertical, all operational components of the force will continue to report to the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Security), maintaining the existing structural integrity.
Commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment in 1989, Lt Gen Ghai brings over three decades of experience in counter-insurgency and operational command. His recent tenure as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Chinar Corps — which oversees critical operations in Jammu and Kashmir — cemented his reputation as a field leader with tactical finesse and strategic foresight.
Recognising his exemplary service, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Lt Gen Ghai the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal on June 4, further underscoring his contribution to national security.
