General Bipin Rawat (16 March 1958 – 8 December 2021) was a highly decorated and respected Indian military officer who served as the 27th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Born in Pauri, Uttarakhand, to a family with a long history of military service, General Rawat graduated from the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, where he was awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour.
During his distinguished 43-year career, General Rawat held various command and staff appointments, including Brigade Commander, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-C) Southern Command, and Military Secretary. He played a key role in several critical operations, including the Kargil War and the counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. General Rawat was known for his leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to modernization of the Indian armed forces. He was also a strong advocate for jointmanship and inter-operability between the three services.
In December 2016, General Rawat was appointed Chief of Army Staff. As COAS, he oversaw a number of important initiatives, including the launch of the “Make in India” program for the defence sector and the implementation of the “Integrated Battle Groups” concept. In December 2019, he was appointed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, a newly created post aimed at enhancing the integration and coordination of the three services. General Rawat was tragically killed in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021, along with his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other military personnel. His death was a major loss for India and the Indian armed forces.
General Rawat was a decorated soldier, having been awarded the Param Vir Chakra (India’s highest wartime gallantry award), the UYSM, the AVSM, the YSM, the SM, the VSM, and the ADC. He was also a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.