Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai Appointed Colonel of Kumaon, Kumaon Scouts, and Naga Regiments
Ranikhet/New Delhi, March 24, 2026 — Amidst a traditional military ceremony, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), officially took over as the Colonel of the Regiment for the Kumaon Regiment, Kumaon Scouts, and Naga Regiment on March 23, 2026. The ceremony took place at the Kumaon Regimental Centre in Ranikhet. He takes on this role following Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, who stepped down after completing his tenure as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.
The role of Colonel of the Regiment is a highly esteemed position within the Indian Army. It designates the most senior officer as the ceremonial leader, mentor, and guardian of the regiment's rich heritage, values, and welfare. This role is pivotal in fostering loyalty among personnel, guiding training and operational strategies, and ensuring the preservation of battle traditions and honours through generations.
Lieutenant General Ghai, who was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment on December 16, 1989, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, brings more than 36 years of distinguished service. His career is marked by exceptional leadership in varied operational settings. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Army War College, Mhow, and National Defence College, New Delhi, he has commanded units at multiple levels, including an infantry battalion in the western sector and an independent brigade in the northern sector, along with leading the 56th Infantry Division. He has also served as the General Officer Commanding of the XV Corps (Chinar Corps) in Srinagar and as Director General of Military Operations at Army Headquarters, where he significantly contributed to strategic operations, including Operation Sindoor.
His extensive career includes significant experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, high-altitude warfare in Siachen, and United Nations peacekeeping missions in Lebanon. Lieutenant General Ghai has also held crucial staff positions, including postings in the Military Operations Directorate and Northern Command. His service has been recognized with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (2025), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2025), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and Sena Medal (with two bars).
Upon assuming his new role, Lieutenant General Ghai expressed profound pride and humility in leading these "battle-hardened and illustrious regiments," known for their exceptional bravery and legacy of sacrifice. He outlined his focus areas, including soldier welfare, skill development through modern technologies like drones and AI-driven surveillance, and strengthening regimental unity to tackle evolving security challenges along the Line of Control, Line of Actual Control, and internal security frameworks.
The Kumaon Regiment, established in 1815, is renowned for historic engagements such as the defense at Rezang La in 1962. The Kumaon Scouts are experts in mountain warfare, while the Naga Regiment, established in 1970 as the Army's newest infantry unit, is recognized for its role in counter-insurgency operations. Together, these formations have secured over 7,000 gallantry awards, including two Param Vir Chakras, highlighting their vital role in national defense.
This transition underscores the Indian Army's dedication to continuous leadership and the enduring strength of its regimental system. Defense analysts consider the appointment a strategic affirmation of institutional robustness, boosting morale amidst ongoing modernization efforts under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Senior military officials, along with those attending the simultaneous release of the book Valour Triumphs II: A Modern History of Kumaon and Naga Regiment in Ranikhet, were present at the event, which was celebrated with customary military zeal among troops stationed in forward areas.
This appointment reaffirms the lasting connection between leadership and the courageous soldiers who embody the regiments’ principles of valour, honour, and discipline in service to the nation.
