PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession: Army Personnel
Famous For: Being the first Chief of Defence Staff of India
Date of Birth: 16 March 1958
Birthplace: Saina Village, Birmoli, Lansdowne, Pauri, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, India (now in Uttarakhand, India) [1] Times of India
Age (at the time of death): 63 Years
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India [3] Aaj Tak
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Kshatriya (Rajput) [4] india.com
Marriage Date: 14 April 1986
Age: 63 Years
EDUCATION
School: • Cambrian Hall School, Dehradun • St. Edward’s School, Shimla
College/University: • National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla • Indian Military Academy, Dehradun • Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington • United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas • Madras University • Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut
Educational Qualification(s): • MPhil degree from the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington • Diplomas in Management and Computer Studies from Madras University • Doctorate of Philosophy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, in 2011
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 173 cm in meters – 1.73 m in feet & inches – 5’ 8”
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Grey
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status (at the time of death): Married
Wife/Spouse: Madhulika Rawat (President of Army Women Welfare Association (AWWA)
Children: Son – None Daughter(s) – 2 • Kritika Rawat • Tarini Rawat
Parents: Father – Laxman Singh Rawat (Retired Lt. General Indian Army) Mother – (Daughter of Kishan Singh Parmar, the ex-MLA from Uttarkashi)
Wife: Madhulika Rawat
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • Param Vishisht Seva Medal • Uttam Yudh Seva Medal • Ati Vishisht Seva Medal • Yudh Seva Medal • Sena Medal • Vishisht Seva Medal • Padma Vibhushan (Civil Service) in 2022
MONEY FACTOR
Career Ranks: • Second Lieutenant (16 December 1978) • Lieutenant (16 December 1980) • Captain (31 July 1984) • Major (16 December 1989) • Lieutenant-Colonel (1 June 1998) • Colonel (1 August 2003) • Brigadier (1 October 2007) • Major General (20 October 2011) • Lieutenant-General (1 June 2014 (substantive)) • General (1 January 2017)
Salary (as the Chief of Defence Staff): Rs. 250,000/month + Other Allowances [11] 7th Pay Commission of India
OTHER INFORMATION
Service/Branch: Indian Army
Rank: Four-Star General
Service Years: 16 December 1978 – 8 December 2021 (till his death)
Unit: 5/11 Gorkha Rifles
Service Number: IC-35471M
Commands: • Southern Command III Corps • 19th Infantry Division • MONUSCO North Kivu Brigade • Rashtriya Rifles, Sector 5
Designations (major ones): • 37th Vice Chief of the Army Staff (1 September 2016 – 31 December 2016) • 27th Chief of the Army Staff (31 December 2016 – 31 December 2019) • 32nd Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (27 September 2019 – 31 December 2019) • 1st Chief of the Defence Staff (31 December 2019 – 8 December 2021; till his death)
Date of Death: 8 December 2021
Place of Death: Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Cremation Date: 10 December 2021
Cremation Site: Brar Square crematorium at Delhi cantonment Note: The bodies of General Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Rawat , had been laid side by side on the same pyre.
Death Cause: He was killed after an IAF chopper, carrying him, his wife, and 11 more, crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. [2] The Indian Express
Hobbies: Playing Football, Reading
Death Date: 08/12/2021
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Bipin Rawat, a distinguished four-star General of the Indian Army, made history when he assumed the position of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff on December 31, 2019. His remarkable journey, woven into the fabric of military legacy, was abruptly cut short on December 8, 2021, when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. Born into a Rajput family in Uttarakhand, Bipin belonged to a lineage steeped in military tradition, representing the third generation dedicated to serving the Indian Army. His father, Laxman Singh Rawat, had a commendable career as a Lieutenant General, rising from the ranks of a soldier to become the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, showcasing a legacy of dedication and service.
From an early age, Bipin exhibited a keen intellect and strong ambition. Known as “a very smart boy” by his uncle, Bharat Singh Rawat, a retired Havaldar, he sought guidance from seasoned military professionals during his formative years. Bipin’s educational journey took him through respected institutions, including Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St Edward’s School in Shimla. His pursuit of excellence continued at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he was honored with the ‘Sword of Honour.’ Upon his commissioning into the 5th Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles on December 16, 1978—just like his father—Bipin began to carve his own path in the military landscape.
Throughout his illustrious career spanning 37 years, Bipin Rawat demonstrated exceptional military acumen and leadership in various roles. Early on, as a Second Lieutenant, he showcased his skills in high-altitude warfare and dedicated a decade to counter-insurgency operations. His rise through the ranks was marked by significant commands, including a pivotal role during his tenure as a Major in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir, and later as a Colonel in Kibithu along the Line of Actual Control. With each promotion, from Brigadier to Major General, he accumulated commendations, including two Force Commander’s Commendations for his leadership of a multinational Brigade in a mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In January 2016, he was appointed Army Commander and later became the Chief of the Army Staff, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable leader.
Bipin Rawat’s commitment to national security extended beyond borders; he held the honorary title of General of the Nepalese Army and played a vital role during the 1987 face-off with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the Sumdorong Chu valley. His passion for aviation was evident when he took a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas during Aero India 2019. Despite his high-ranking position, Bipin remained deeply connected to his roots, frequently visiting his village in Uttarkhand, where he envisioned constructing a house to honor his heritage.
The tragic helicopter crash that claimed his life also included that of his wife and several others, marking a profound loss for the nation. In a gesture of remembrance and respect, the Indian Army renamed the military camp at Kibithu the ‘Gen Bipin Rawat military garrison’ in September 2022, ensuring that his legacy will endure in the annals of Indian military history. A life-size mural was unveiled at this garrison, a tribute to the man who served his country with unwavering dedication and who will forever be remembered as the first Chief of Defence Staff of India.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.