Who Is Bipin Rawat? Everything You Need to Know

General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat, a four-star general of the Indian Army, was an Indian military officer. From January 2020 until his death in a helicopter crash in December 2021, he was the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces. He was the 57th and final Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, as well as the Indian Army's 26th Chief of Army Staff, before becoming the CDS.
Rawat died in the accident of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021. He was traveling with his wife, Madhulika Rawat, and members of his staff, all of whom died in the crash.

Childhood

Rawat was born on March 16, 1958, to a Hindu Garhwali Rajput family in Pauri, Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand state. For several generations, his family had served in the Indian Army. Lieutenant General Laxman Singh Rawat, his father, was born in the Pauri Garhwal village of Sainj. His mother was the daughter of Kishan Singh Parmar, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) from the district and was a resident of Uttarkashi. 

He had his formal education at Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward's School in Shimla, before continuing on to the National Defense Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he received the Sword Honorary.

He also completed the Senior Command Course of the United States Army Staff and Command College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Defense Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington.

Rawat also completed the Higher Command Course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington. He earned an MPhil in Defence Studies as well as degrees in Management and Computer Studies from the University of Madras during his time at the DSSC. In 2011, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from CCS University in Meerut for his study in military-media strategic studies.

Military Career

On December 16, 1978, CDS Bipin Rawat was assigned to the 5th Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles, the same battalion as his father, Laxman Singh Rawat.

He has ten years of experience in counterinsurgency operations and has held positions ranging from majors to current CDSs.

CDS Bipin Rawat led a company at Uri, Jammu and Kashmir while serving as a major. As a colonel, he commanded his battalion along the LAC at Kibithu.

He led Sector 5 of the Rashtriya Rifles at Sopore and the multinational brigade during a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after being promoted to brigadier (MONUSCO).

He received the force commander's mention recognition on two occasions.

After being appointed to the rank of major general, Bipin Rawat became the commanding commander of the 19th Infantry Division in Uri.

He heads the III corps, based in Dimapur, before taking leadership of the southern army in Pune as a lieutenant general

He became the Commander General (GOCinC) of Southern Command after being promoted to the rank of Army Commander. He was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army soon after.

He was appointed as the Army's 27th Chief of Staff by the Indian government on December 17, 2016, and he took office on December 31, 2016.

Personal Life

Rawat married Madhulika Rawat in 1985. She was the daughter of Kunwar Mrigendra Singh, a former princely family descendent who served as the Riyasatdar of the pargana of Sohagpur Riyasat in Shahdol district and an Indian National Congress MLA from the area between 1967 and 1972. Kritika and Tarini were the couple's two daughters.

Reducing Militancy in the Northeast 

One of the highlights of his career was the 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar when he was vital in diminishing militancy in the northeast.

An ambush by NSCNK militants was effectively countered by the Indian troops. Rawat oversaw the mission, which was carried out under the operational leadership of III Corps Dimapur.

Role in Surgical Attacks

This was also part of the planning for the 2016 surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in which the Indian military crossed the line of control.

Rawat is alleged to have been watching events unfold from New Delhi's southern outskirts.

CDS Bipin Rawat Awards and Honours

These honors would be missing from a Bipin Rawat biography if they were not mentioned.

CDS General Bipin Rawat has acquired numerous decorations and accolades for exceptional service during his more than 40-year career.

Param Vishisht Seva Medal 
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal 
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal 
Yudh Seva Medal    
Sena Medal     
Vishisht Seva Medal 
Wound Medal     
Samanya Seva Medal     
 Special Service Medal     
Operation Parakram Medal 
Sanya Seva Medal     
High Altitude Service Medal     
Videsh Seva Medal   
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 
30 Years Long Service Medal     
20 Years Long Service Medal   
9 Years Long Service Medal     
MONUSCO 

Other Achievements of Rawat as Army Commander

Rawat was also instrumental in the army's establishment. He played a key role in restructuring the military to eliminate administrative interference, reduce duplicity, and boost combat capability.
He also made sure the driver of the car remained essential by providing him with new assault rifles bought in the United States. He was also instrumental in the army's modernization.
His reign, however, was not without controversy. The military supported the government's decision to impose the disability pension during his term, angering disabled veterans in the military.

CDS Bipin Rawat Death 

The Indian Air Force declared the Chief of Defense of the Indian Armed Forces died on 8 December 2021. He was a passenger on an Indian Air Force Mi 175 V5 helicopter that crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.

This was a glimpse of the CDS Bipin Rawat Biography at this unsettling time.