Rajiv Ghai

Indian Army Officer

Indian New Delhi, India

Quick Info

ProfessionIndian Army Officer
NationalityIndian
BirthplaceNew Delhi, India
Date of Birth29/03/1979
Age47 years

Latest News about Rajiv Ghai

15/08/2025

Rajiv Ghai was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his role in Operation Sindoor. The award recognized his operational leadership during the India-Pakistan escalation and added to his earlier decorations, including the UYSM, AVSM, and Sena Medal with bars.

10/06/2025

Rajiv Ghai took over as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) after completing his tenure as DGMO. His appointment followed his high-profile role in overseeing military operations during Operation Sindoor and in the subsequent India-Pakistan de-escalation.

10/05/2025

Rajiv Ghai was part of the military communication that preceded the India-Pakistan ceasefire on 10 May 2025. The ceasefire came after Operation Sindoor and the ensuing cross-border escalation, making his role significant in the de-escalation process.

07/05/2025

Rajiv Ghai, then serving as DGMO, was associated with Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, describing the strikes as a calibrated counter-terror response.

Do you like Rajiv Ghai?

You can vote only once.

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorSalt & Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

GraduationIndian Military Academy, Dehradun
Other Institutions
  • Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu
  • Army War College, Mhow
  • National Defence College, Delhi
  • Fergusson College, Pune

Personal Life

Marital StatusMarried
HobbiesTrekking

Relationships & More

Wife/SpouseMukta Ghai

Family

FatherK.D. Ghai
MotherSubhadra Ghai
SiblingsBrother - Ashok Ghai
SpouseMukta Ghai
Children2 Daughters - Meghna Ghai Puri, Muskaan Ghai

Career

SummaryLieutenant General Rajiv Ghai is a distinguished Indian Army officer with extensive experience in military operations, counter-insurgency, and strategic planning. Commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment on 16 December 1989, he has held several key positions including command of battalion, brigade, and division-level formations, and currently serves as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) and Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat.
Positions Held
  • Colonel General Staff in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir
  • Brigadier at the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters
  • Led a battalion on the Western Sector, a brigade, and a division on the Northern Borders
  • General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC) of the Chinar Corps, managing Army operations in Kashmir
  • Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) since October 25, 2024
  • Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)
  • Commissioned into Kumaon Regiment (December 1989)
  • General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC) of the Chinar Corps (2023), managing Army operations in Kashmir
  • Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during Operation Sindoor
  • Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) from 25/10/2024 to 10/06/2025
  • Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat
Responsibilities
  • Planning and leading Indian military and counter-terror operations
  • Ensuring readiness of armed forces and collaborating with other military branches and government ministries
  • Working at strategic and operational levels within the military hierarchy
  • Acting as the primary military contact with Pakistan's DGMO to manage border tensions
RegimentKumaon Regiment (commissioned 16/12/1989)
Awards
  • Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM)
  • Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
  • Sena Medal (SM)
  • Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM)
  • Bar to Sena Medal
  • Second Bar to Sena Medal

Favourites

Favourite CricketerVirat Kohli

Social Media

Twitterhttps://x.com/RgGhai

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Rajiv Ghai joined the Kumaon Regiment in December 1989.
2. He compared cricket to national defence during discussions on military strategy.
3. He frequently uses cricket analogies to explain military concepts, particularly regarding air defence.
4. Born into a family with rich military heritage, he was inspired from a young age to serve his country.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
Scroll to Top