Indian Army Chiefs List 2025 for UPSC, NDA, CDS & AFCAT Exam
As an NDA, CDS, or AFCAT aspirant, mastering the Indian Army Chiefs list is more than rote memorization—it’s a cornerstone of your preparation. The list of Indian Army Chiefs from 1947 to 2025 highlights the evolution of India’s military leadership, from the post-independence era to modern strategic command. This knowledge isn’t just trivia; it’s frequently tested in defence exams like NDA and CDS under General Knowledge sections. Understanding the Indian Army Chief name list with tenures and milestones can give you an edge in scoring those crucial marks. At Ground Zero Defence Academy, our NDA coaching in Dehradun emphasizes such targeted Indian Army GK for NDA exam, ensuring you approach these topics with confidence.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the historical progression, roles, and exam relevance of these leaders. Whether you’re revising the Indian Army Chiefs with tenure or brushing up on the current Chief of Indian Army, this resource is designed for quick, effective learning.
Who Is the Chief of Army Staff? (Role & Responsibilities)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is the professional head of the Indian Army, a four-star general responsible for its operational readiness, administration, and strategic direction. Appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, the COAS serves a typical tenure of three years or until age 62, whichever comes first.
Historically, the role evolved significantly. Post-independence in 1947, the position was designated as Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, held initially by British officers to ensure a smooth transition. This changed on June 21, 1948, when it became Chief of the Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief. By 1955, under the Commanders-in-Chief (Change in Designation) Act, the title simplified to Chief of Army Staff (COAS), aligning with India’s sovereign military structure.
Key responsibilities include:
- Advising the government on military matters.
- Commanding all army units, including during operations.
- Overseeing training, logistics, and modernization.
- Coordinating with other armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff.
This shift from colonial oversight to indigenous leadership symbolizes India’s military self-reliance—a theme often explored in SSB interviews and written exams.
Complete List of Indian Army Chiefs from 1947 to 2025
Below is the exhaustive Indian Army Chiefs list, compiled from official records. It includes all 30 COAS appointments (counting from the first Indian holder), with serial numbers, names, tenures, and key notes on milestones like wars led or promotions. Note: The first two were British Commanders-in-Chief; General K.M. Cariappa was the inaugural Indian chief.
| Sr. No. | Name | Rank | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Robert McGregor Macdonald Lockhart | General | 15 Aug 1947 – 31 Dec 1947 |
| 2 | Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher | General | 1 Jan 1948 – 14 Jan 1949 |
| 3 | Kodandera Madappa Cariappa | General | 15 Jan 1949 – 14 Jan 1953 |
| 4 | Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja | General | 14 Jan 1953 – 1 Apr 1955 |
| 5 | Satyawant Mallanna Srinagesh | General | 15 May 1955 – 7 May 1957 |
| 6 | Kodandera Subayya Thimayya | General | 8 May 1957 – 7 May 1961 |
| 7 | Pran Nath Thapar | General | 8 May 1961 – 19 Nov 1962 |
| 8 | Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri | General | 20 Nov 1962 – 7 Jun 1966 |
| 9 | Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam | General | 8 Jun 1966 – 7 Jun 1969 |
| 10 | Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw | Field Marshal | 8 Jun 1969 – 15 Jan 1973 |
| 11 | Gopal Gurunath Bewoor | General | 16 Jan 1973 – 31 May 1975 |
| 12 | Tapishwar Narain Raina | General | 1 Jun 1975 – 31 May 1978 |
| 13 | Om Prakash Malhotra | General | 1 Jun 1978 – 31 May 1981 |
| 14 | Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao | General | 1 Jun 1981 – 31 Jul 1983 |
| 15 | Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya | General | 1 Aug 1983 – 31 Jan 1986 |
| 16 | Krishnaswamy Sundarji | General | 1 Feb 1986 – 31 May 1988 |
| 17 | Vishwa Nath Sharma | General | 1 Jun 1988 – 30 Jun 1990 |
| 18 | Sunit Francis Rodrigues | General | 1 Jul 1990 – 30 Jun 1993 |
| 19 | Bipin Chandra Joshi | General | 1 Jul 1993 – 19 Nov 1994 |
| 20 | Shankar Roy Chowdhary | General | 20 Nov 1994 – 30 Sep 1997 |
| 21 | Ved Prakash Malik | General | 1 Oct 1997 – 30 Sep 2000 |
| 22 | Sundararajan Padmanabhan | General | 1 Oct 2000 – 31 Dec 2002 |
| 23 | Nirmal Chander Vij | General | 1 Jan 2003 – 31 Jan 2005 |
| 24 | Joginder Jaswant Singh | General | 1 Feb 2005 – 30 Sep 2007 |
| 25 | Deepak Kapoor | General | 1 Oct 2007 – 31 Mar 2010 |
| 26 | Vijay Kumar Singh | General | 1 Apr 2010 – 31 May 2012 |
| 27 | Bikram Singh | General | 1 Jun 2012 – 31 Jul 2014 |
| 28 | Dalbir Singh Suhag | General | 1 Aug 2014 – 31 Dec 2016 |
| 29 | Bipin Rawat | General | 31 Dec 2016 – 31 Dec 2019 |
| 30 | Manoj Mukund Naravane | General | 31 Dec 2019 – 30 Apr 2022 |
| 31 | Manoj Pande | General | 30 Apr 2022 – 30 Jun 2024 |
| 32 | Upendra Dwivedi | General | 30 Jun 2024 – Present |
This Indian Army Chiefs with tenure table is your go-to reference for quick revisions. Focus on patterns like extensions during crises or war leadership for deeper exam insights.
Current Chief of Indian Army (Latest Update)
As of December 2025, the current Chief of Indian Army is General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM. He assumed office on June 30, 2024, succeeding General Manoj Pande. A distinguished infantry officer from the 18th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, General Dwivedi brings expertise in operations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and counter-terrorism. His priorities include enhancing technological integration, troop welfare, and border security amid evolving geopolitical challenges. For aspirants, tracking such updates is vital for current affairs in CDS and AFCAT.
Importance of Indian Army Chiefs for NDA Exam
The Indian Army Chiefs for NDA form a high-yield topic in the GK paper, often appearing in 4-6 questions per exam. Why? They test your grasp of post-independence history, military strategy, and leadership evolution—core to the NDA’s ethos of honour and duty. Recalling the list of Indian Army Chiefs from 1947 to 2025 helps link events: e.g., Manekshaw’s 1971 role or Malik’s Kargil command.
In SSB interviews, discussing a chief’s tenure showcases analytical skills. At Ground Zero Defence Academy, our NDA coaching in Dehradun dedicates modules to Indian Army GK for NDA exam, using timelines and mock tests to build retention. Mastering this boosts your overall score by 10-15% in GK sections.
NDA-Level GK Questions
Test your knowledge with these fact-based MCQs, drawn from past NDA patterns. Answers at the end.
- Who was the first Indian to hold the post of Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army? a) General S.M. Srinagesh b) Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa c) General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja d) General K.S. Thimayya
- Which COAS led the Indian Army to victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War? a) General V.P. Malik b) Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw c) General Bipin Rawat d) General Dalbir Singh Suhag
- What is the typical tenure of the Chief of Army Staff? a) 2 years b) 3 years or until age 62 c) 4 years d) 5 years
- Who is the current Chief of the Indian Army as of 2025? a) General Manoj Pande b) General Upendra Dwivedi c) General Manoj Mukund Naravane d) General Bipin Rawat
- In which year did the designation change from Commander-in-Chief to Chief of Army Staff? a) 1947 b) 1948 c) 1955 d) 1962
Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b, 5-c. Use these for self-quizzing—perfect for last-minute NDA prep.
Common Mistakes Students Make in Army GK
Aspirants often trip on basics, costing easy marks. Here’s how to avoid them:
- Confusing Designations: Mixing Commander-in-Chief (pre-1955) with COAS. Tip: Remember Cariappa’s 1949 start as the pivot.
- Wrong Tenures or Wars: Linking Thapar to 1962 victory (he resigned mid-war) or ignoring Manekshaw’s extension. Solution: Use timelines.
- Overlooking Field Marshals: Forgetting Cariappa and Manekshaw’s honorary promotions post-tenure.
- Ignoring Recent Chiefs: Skipping post-2010 names like Rawat or Dwivedi in current affairs. Revise annually.
- Neglecting Units: Exams ask about regiments (e.g., Manekshaw’s Gorkha Rifles)—note them in your Indian Army Chief name list.
At Ground Zero Defence Academy, our faculty spots these pitfalls early through diagnostic tests, turning weaknesses into strengths.
Why Choose Ground Zero Defence Academy, Dehradun
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun is a hub for defence aspirants, and Ground Zero Defence Academy stands out as a reputed institute for NDA, CDS, and AFCAT coaching. With a legacy of 5000+ selections, we offer:
- Expert Faculty: Retired officers and exam toppers delivering Indian Army Chiefs for NDA-focused sessions.
- Holistic Prep: From GK drills on the Indian Army Chiefs list to SSB simulations.
- Proven Results: High success rate in NDA written exams, with personalized mentoring.
- Affordable Excellence: Modern infrastructure, hostel facilities, and doubt-clearing without the sales pitch.
As a trusted name in NDA coaching in Dehradun, Ground Zero builds not just knowledge but resilience—essential for the forces.
FAQS
Q1. How many Chiefs of the Indian Army have served from 1947 to 2025?
From 1947 to 2025, a total of 32 Chiefs of the Indian Army have served, starting with General Sir Robert M. M. Lockhart and currently led by General Upendra Dwivedi.
Q2. Who is the current Chief of the Indian Army in 2025?
As of 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi is the serving Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He assumed office on 30 June 2024 and continues to serve in this position.
Q3. Who were the first Indian and the first Field Marshal Chiefs of the Indian Army?
- The first Indian Chief of the Army Staff was General K. M. Cariappa (1949–1953).
- The first Field Marshal of India and former Army Chief was Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (1969–1973).
Q4. Why is the Indian Army Chiefs list important for NDA and defence exams?
The list of Indian Army Chiefs is important for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and other defence exams because it is frequently asked in General Knowledge, Current Affairs, and SSB interview discussions, especially questions related to tenure, ranks, and major military reforms.
Q5. What is the role of the Chief of the Army Staff in India?
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is the professional head of the Indian Army and is responsible for operational readiness, military strategy, training, and advising the Government of India on defence matters.
Q6. Where can I find the best NDA coaching in Dehradun for Indian Army topics?
Ground Zero Defence Academy offers specialized NDA coaching in Dehradun, focusing on defence GK like the list of Indian Army Chiefs from 1947 to 2025.
Ready to ace your NDA exam? Join Ground Zero Defence Academy today—enroll now for structured GK mastery and step closer to your uniform. Visit our Dehradun campus or apply online for a free counseling session. Your journey to officer ranks starts here.