General MM Naravane Biography: Birth, Family, Education, Military Career, Awards and More About the 58th Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)

General MM Naravane Biography: As the sudden demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat in an IAF helicopter crash created a void in India's topmost military position, General MM Naravane has assumed the charge as the chairperson of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) until the appointment of the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He also heads the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). 

Being the senior-most officer among the three serving chiefs of India, General MM Naravane will head the COSC. The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), who used to report to the CDS, will report to General Naravane until the next CDS is appointed. 

The other two chiefs-- IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar-- are relatively new in their positions. They took over the leading positions of their forces on 30 September 2021 and 30 November 2021, respectively. 

Let us have a look at the life of General Manoj Mukund Naravane, the 27th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and 58th Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). 

General MM Naravane: Birth, Early life and Education

General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM AVSM SM VSM ADC is currently serving as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and the 58th Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). He succeeded General Bipin Rawat on 31 December 2019 as COAS and has been appointed as the 58th chairperson of COSC after General Bipin Rawat was killed in an IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on 8 December 2021.  

General MM Naravane was born on 22 April 1960 in Pune, Bombay State, India. His father Mukund Naravane is a former officer in the Indian Air Force who retired in the rank of Wing Commander and his mother Sudha was an announcer with the All India Radio.

General Naravane received his schooling at the Jnana Prabodhini Prashala in Pune. He attended  National Defence Academy, Pune, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the Army War College, Mhow. 

General MM Naravane holds an M.A. degree in Defence Studies from the University of Madras, Chennai and an M.Phil. degree in Defence and Management Studies from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Defence and Strategic Studies from  Punjabi University, Patiala.

General MM Naravane: Military Career

Naravane was commissioned into the 7th Battalion The Sikh Light Infantry in June 1980. In his distinguished military career spanning over 40 years, he served on various posts ranging from Inspector General (North) to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and is now the frontrunner for the post of CDS. 

MM Naravane commanded the 2nd Battalion (SikhLi) of Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, 106 Infantry Brigade, and Assam Rifles as Inspector General (North) in Kohima, Nagaland. He also served in Counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India and Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan.

His staff assignments include tenures as a Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, AA&QMG of Headquarters Establishment No. 22, military attaché to Myanmar at Yangon, instructional appointment at the Army War College, Mhow and two tenures at the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, New Delhi.

After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, he commanded the Ambala-based Kharga Strike Corps and served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delhi Area. In his capacity as GOC, he commanded the 2017 Republic Day parade. 

On promotion to the rank of Army Commander grade, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Army Training Command and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command. 

He was appointed Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on 1 September 2019 and was elevated to the rank of COAS when General Bipin Rawat was made CDS on 31 December 2019. He has assumed charge as the 58th Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on 16 December 2021 until the appointment of next CDS. 

General MM Naravane: Honors and medals

In a distinguished military career spanning over four decades, COAS General MM Naravane has been awarded various medals and honours. These are listed below.

1- Param Vishisht Seva Medal

2- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

3- Sena Medal

4- Vishisht Seva Medal

5- Samanya Seva Medal

6- Special Service Medal

7- Operation Parakram Medal

8- Sainya Seva Medal

9- Videsh Seva Medal

10- 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal

11- 30 Years Long Service Medal

12- 20 Years Long Service Medal

13- 9 Years Long Service Medal

General MM Naravane: Personal Life

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is married to Veena Naravane and the couple have two daughters. Veena Naravane is a teacher with 25 years of experience and heads the Army Wives Welfare Association.

Also Read | List of Indian Chief of Army Staff (1947-2021)