General Bipin Rawat Biography: The Glorious Life of India’s first Chief of Defence VISHU RAJ LEGAL ARTICLE Fri, Dec 10, 2021, at ,01:38 PM The death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, 63, in a chopper crash on Wednesday (December 8, 2021) in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, has shocked the nation. Four crew members and ten passengers, including the CDS and his wife Madhulika, were on board the Air Force's Mi-17V5 helicopter. The chopper was headed to Wellington in Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, where a Defence Services Staff College is located.Early Days.An alumnus of the St Edward School in Shimla and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, General Rawat - born in Pauri, Uttarakhand, on March 16, 1958 - was a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and did the Higher Command Course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.Military CareerGeneral Rawat was the 27th Chief of the Army StaffOn December 17, 2016, the government had appointed him as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff. He took charge on December 31, 2016, after the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag. General Rawat was the Chief of Army Staff when Indian fighter jets pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan's Balakot, and was reportedly part of the decision-making process and provided key inputs for the operation.General Rawat's role as CDSThe CDS is mandated to facilitate integration, ensure best economical use of resources allocated to the armed forces and bring uniformity in the procurement procedure. As CDS, General Rawat was also the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-services matters. Later, he was also appointed as the head of the newly-created Department of Military AffairsRank Date of AppointmentSecond Lieutenant 16 December 1978Lieutenant 16 December 1980Captain 31 July 1984Major 16 December 1989Lieutenant Colonel 1 June 1998Colonel 1 August 2003Brigadier 1 October 2007Major General 20 October 2011Lieutenant General 1 June 2014General (COAS) 1 January 2017General (CDS) 30 December 2019 CDS Bipin Rawat Awards and HonoursThe Bipin Rawat Biography would be incomplete without the mention of these honors.During his career that has gone through more than 40 years, CdS General Bipin Rawat has received many medals and honors for distinguished service.1- Param Vishisht Seva Medal2- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal3- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal4- Yudh Seva Medal5- Sena Medal6- Vishisht Seva Medal7- Wound Medal8- Samanya Seva Medal9- Special Service Medal10- Operation Parakram Medal11- Sainya Seva Medal12- High Altitude Service Medal13- Videsh Seva Medal14- 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal15- 30 Years Long Service Medal16- 20 Years Long Service Medal17- 9 Years Long Service Medal18- MONUSCOOther Achievements of Rawat as Army CommanderRawat also played a key role in the formation of the army. He was instrumental in restructuring the military to reduce administrative interference, reduce duplicity, and increase combat potential.He also ensured that the man behind the car remained important, arming new assault rifles bought in the United States. He also played a vital role in the modernization of the army. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy. Under his tenure, the military accepted the government’s decision to impose the disability pension, angering disabled veterans by the military fraternity.