Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who as Director General Military Operations (DGMO) played a key role during Operation Sindoor, on Monday was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). He will however continue to hold the dual charges of Deputy Chief of Army as well as DGMO.
His elevation comes five days after he was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025, a recognition of his exceptional service including during Operation Sindoor.
The Deputy Chief (Strategy) is a relatively new vertical created to oversee the Indian Army’s Operations and Intelligence Directorates, among other important branches. It is considered one of the most crucial appointments within the Indian Army, as per the Ministry of Defence’s official statement.
Lt Gen Ghai shot into prominence after he was fielded by the government to address the media on Operation Sindoor along with Director General of Air Operations and Director General Naval Operations.
Ghai was first approached by his counterpart in Pakistan to end military operations after Indian armed forces pounded on their key defence installations and nine terror camps of LeT, JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen.
In a press briefing on May 12, a couple of days after the cessation of hostilities was announced, Lt Gen Ghai underlined the preparedness and coordinated response of the Indian armed forces.