Lt. Gen Manoj Katiyar to be Next Director General of Military Operations

The next Director-General of Military Operations is Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, who will take charge on May 1st.

The Director-General of Military Operations is one of the several Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) under the Chief of the Army Staff. He looks after the operational planning of the Army.

He was a graduate of the USA’s National War College. Currently, he is serving as the General Officer Commanding of 1 Corps. It is a strike formation responsible for the offensive operations against both Pakistan and China.

In 1986, he was commissioned in the 23rd battalion of the Rajput Regiment and a few years later, he commanded the regiment along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Arunachal Pradesh. He served as an instructor in the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.

Previously, he has also worked as Director of General Staff Duties at Army Headquarters. He commanded an infantry brigade along the Western borders.

For his relentless service, he has also been rewarded with ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’. 

   Important points for the exam:

• Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar has been appointed as the next Director-General of Military Operations who will assume charge on 1st May.
• He was a graduate of the USA’s National War College and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.
• He was commissioned in the 23rd battalion of the Rajput Regiment in 1986.
• He was rewarded with ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ - a military award for his "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the armed forces.

   Facts to know:

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) was awarded for the first time in 1960.
• Indian Army Day: 15th January.
• Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CCSC): General Manoj Mukund Naravane - also the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).