MV Suchindra Kumar is a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and served as Vice Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). On March 1, 2023, he took office as the 45th Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army.
Wiki/Biography
After completing his studies at Sainik School, Bijapur, Karnataka, MV Suchindra Kumar appeared for the entrance examination to the National Defense Academy (NDA) and passed the examination. After completing a three-year military training module at NDA, Pune, Maharashtra, he joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand in 1984. There, he underwent training for a year and joined the Indian Army in June 1985. Suchindra Kumar served in the Army and obtained his Masters in Strategic Studies from the Defense Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu. Later, Surjendra Kumar attended the National Defense College (NDC), New Delhi, where he obtained a Master of Philosophy in National Security and Strategic Studies.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Hair color: salt and pepper (semi-bald)
Eye color: dark brown
family
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
wife and children
His wife Asha Suchindra is an educationist and the chairman of Prerna. He has two children. His son Abhay works in Singapore’s financial sector. His daughter Ananya is a doctor and is pursuing her master’s degree from SMS College, Jaipur.
Profession
MV Suchindra Kumar enlisted in the Indian Army in June 1985 as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Assam Regiment of the Indian Army. Shortly after commissioning, he attended the Young Officers (YO) course at the Army War College, Mohau. Surjendra was promoted to Major and became Company Commander. Later, he attended the Junior Command (JC) Course at the Army War College, Mohau, Madhya Pradesh. As Colonel, he commanded a battalion of the Assam Regiment. He was later posted to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir as the Commanding Officer of the 59th Battalion, People’s Rifles of India (Assam) and participated in numerous counter-insurgency operations.
Photo taken by MV Suchindra Kumar while commanding 59th Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles
Surjendra was later posted to the Military Minister (MS) Department in New Delhi. He also served at the United Nations (UN) as a senior operational officer for the Transitional Authority in Cambodia. He was later posted to Lesotho as a member of the Indian Army Training Corps. Suchindra Kumar has attended several international military courses such as the South Asia Cooperative Security Course in Sri Lanka and the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course in Egypt. Thereafter, he served as an instructor at the Army War College at Mohau. After being promoted to Brigadier General, MV Suchindra Kumar was deployed along the Line of Control commanding 120 Infantry Brigade. Thereafter, he was posted to 3 Corps (also known as Spear Corps), Dimapur, under the Eastern Command of the Indian Army as a Brigadier General (BGS). As a major general, he commanded an infantry division stationed along the Line of Control. Later, he was posted to New Delhi as Additional Director General Military Intelligence (ADGMI), Directorate of Military Intelligence (MI).
MV Suchindra Kumar discusses bilateral military issues with Major General Emmanuel Slaars, Commander of France’s Joint Forces in the Indian Ocean Region
After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, he took charge of the White Knights Regiment (also known as XVI Regiment) in Nagrota on October 14, 2020, taking over from Lieutenant General Harsh Gupta. The force is known to be actively involved in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir. Suchendra said in an interview after taking over as the commander of the 16th Army,
I am extremely proud and honored to hold such an important post with the rich history of Jammu and Kashmir. “
MV Suchindra Kumar (left) takes over the baton from Lieutenant General Harsha Gupta
He serves as Corps Commander until October 28, 2021. MV Suchindra Kumar became the Colonel of Assam Regiment and Arunachal Scout Regiment on March 1, 2021. On October 28, 2021, he was posted to New Delhi and assumed the post of Director of Military Intelligence (DGMI). He serves there until July 1, 2022. Suchindra Kumar takes over from Lieutenant General Sanjeev Sharma as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defense (Army), on July 1, 2022. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCOAS).
Photo taken by Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar after taking over as DCOAS (Strategy)
MV Suchindra Kumar succeeds Lieutenant General BS Raju as VCOAS and assumes charge on March 1, 2023. He retired on February 18, 2024 and was succeeded by Upendra Dwivedi on February 19, 2024.
military ornaments
- In January 2014, the Indian government awarded Suchindra Kumar the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM).
- He received the UNTAC Medal for his participation in the United Nations Mission in Cambodia.
- The Government of India awarded him the Sainya Seva Medal.
- Suchindra Kumar also received the Videsh Seva Medal.
- Later, he received the Special Service Medal from the Government of India.
- The Government of India awarded him the Samanya Seva Medal.
- He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card by the Indian Army.
- In January 2018, MV Suchindra Kumar was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) by the Indian government.
- Suchindra Kumar was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) again in January 2019.
- Suchindra was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) by the Government of India in January 2022.
President Ram Nath Kovind awards the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) to Lieutenant General Suchendra Kumar
Facts/Trivia
- In 2020, MV Suchindra participated in a cycling expedition from Kargil to Karakoram Pass in memory of Kargil Vijay Dewas. He was one of the few Army commanders to do so.
MV Suchindra Kumar (far right) cycling to the Karakoram Pass with other Army commanders
- MV Suchindra is passionate about golf.
- To stay fit, MV Suchindra Kumar practices yoga regularly. He has run multiple half marathons.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education