General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM AVSM SM VSM ADC, born April 22, 1960, is a retired Indian Army officer who served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022. The Pune-born military leader commanded over 1.3 million soldiers during his tenure, succeeding General Bipin Rawat and overseeing critical national security operations including border tensions with China and Pakistan. With over four decades of military service, multiple gallantry awards, and command positions including Vice Chief of Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command, Naravane remains one of India’s most decorated military officers.
Biography and Early Life
Manoj Mukund Naravane was born on April 22, 1960, in Pune, Maharashtra, a city with strong military traditions. He grew up in an environment influenced by military institutions and training academies. Specific details about his parents and early family background are not publicly disclosed.
Naravane was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of The Sikh Light Infantry in June 1980 as a Second Lieutenant. The regiment’s motto “Deg Teg Fateh” (Victory to Charity and Arms) and its secular ethos shaped his military philosophy throughout his career. His early years as a young officer involved field postings in challenging terrains during the 1980s and 1990s when the Indian Army dealt with insurgencies in the Northeast and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Military Career
Naravane’s military career spans over 40 years across various command and staff positions. He commanded the 2nd Battalion of Rashtriya Rifles (Sikh Light Infantry) in Jammu and Kashmir during active counter-insurgency operations. He also commanded the 106 Infantry Brigade and served as Inspector General (North) of Assam Rifles in Kohima, Nagaland.
His operational experience includes service in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India, as well as participation in the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan. He commanded II Corps and served as General Officer Commanding Delhi Area, where he had the privilege of commanding the Republic Day Parade in 2017.
In staff assignments, Naravane served as Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, Assistant Adjutant & Quartermaster General (AA&QMG) of Headquarters Establishment No. 22, and Defence Attaché to Myanmar in Yangon. He held instructional appointments at the Army War College as Directing Staff in the Higher Command Wing and served two tenures at the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) in New Delhi.
After successfully commanding the Army Training Command in Shimla, he took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Eastern Command on October 1, 2018. He subsequently served as the 40th Vice Chief of Army Staff before his appointment as Chief of the Army Staff.
Chief of Army Staff
The Government of India appointed Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff on December 16, 2019. He assumed command in the substantive rank of General on December 31, 2019, succeeding General Bipin Rawat.
As Chief of the Army Staff, Naravane led 1.3 million active military personnel through extraordinary challenges. His tenure coincided with heightened border tensions with China in Ladakh during 2020 and ongoing security operations along the Line of Control with Pakistan. He served until his superannuation on April 30, 2022, completing a term of over two years.
During his tenure, Naravane focused on military modernization, strategic planning, and maintaining operational readiness across all commands. It was also during his leadership that the government introduced the controversial Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces. He served as Aide-de-Camp to the President of India, a position held by virtue of his appointment as Chief of Army Staff.
Controversies
Unpublished Memoir and Parliamentary Disruption (2026)
In January 2026, excerpts from General Naravane’s unpublished memoir about the 2020 Ladakh border standoff with China were published by Caravan Magazine, sparking a major political controversy. The book, which has not received clearance from the Ministry of Defence for publication, contained critical details about the government’s handling of Chinese border incursions.
On February 3, 2026, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the memoir during parliamentary debates on national security. Gandhi cited passages suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Army Chief to “do whatever you think is right” during the China crisis, allegedly leaving the Army to handle the situation without clear political direction. Gandhi claimed the book indicated that General Naravane “felt the political leadership had left the Army alone during the crisis”.
The attempt to read from the memoir led to immediate objections from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, resulting in chaos in the Lok Sabha. The House was adjourned multiple times and eventually for the entire day. The ruling BJP criticized Gandhi for citing an unpublished, uncleared document, calling it a breach of protocol and potentially harmful to national security.
Speaking outside Parliament, Gandhi stated he was being prevented from raising the issue because it “indicts” the Prime Minister and Defence Minister for “letting down” the Army. He offered to gift the Prime Minister a copy of the memoir. The BJP countered by labeling the disclosure as “anti-national”.
General Naravane himself told The Indian Express that the publisher and the Ministry of Defence were in “constant touch with each other” regarding clearance for the book. He stated: “So it is not for me to follow up. The ball is in the publisher’s and the MoD’s court”. Military rules prohibit retired officers from publishing classified information without prior clearance from the Defence Ministry.
China Map Controversy (2023)
In September 2023, after China released its 2023 edition of the “standard map of China” claiming Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Chinese territories, Naravane shared a counter-map on social media. The multicolored map he posted demarcated several regions including Ladakh and Tibet as ‘occupied’ areas of China, captioning it “finally someone has got the map of China as it really is”. While the post resonated with many Indians critical of Chinese territorial claims, it drew attention as a public political statement by a former Army Chief.
Early Tenure Statements (2020)
Shortly after assuming office in January 2020, Naravane’s statements about India needing to be “firm” in dealing with China and his emphasis on greater vigilance on the northern border were analyzed as representing a shift in defence stance. Some observers noted that his focus on the northern border and comments about being “firm but not aggressive” with China came at a sensitive time in India-China relations.
Post-Retirement Activities
After retiring from military service in 2022, General Naravane has published two books. He continues to be engaged as a speaker and defense analyst, sharing insights from his four decades of military experience. His unpublished memoir about his tenure as Army Chief remains with the Ministry of Defence awaiting clearance as of February 2026.
Personal Life
Details about General Naravane’s spouse, children, and personal family life have not been publicly disclosed. He maintains privacy regarding his personal affairs, consistent with military traditions. His current residence and post-retirement activities focus primarily on defense analysis and public speaking engagements.
Honours and Decorations
Throughout his military career, General Naravane received numerous awards and decorations recognizing his distinguished service:
Gallantry and Service Medals:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2019
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – 2017
- Sena Medal (SM)
- Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) – 2015
- Samanya Seva Medal
Operational Medals:
Long Service Medals:
- 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
- 30 Years Long Service Medal
- 20 Years Long Service Medal
- 9 Years Long Service Medal
He also received the COAS Commendation Card for exceptional service. Naravane served as Colonel of the Regiment of the Sikh Light Infantry, an honorary appointment recognizing his contributions to the regiment.