In a rare development in the annals of the Indian Army’s history, six days before he was to retire, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande’s service has been extended by a month up to June 30, 2024.
A press release issued by the defence ministry on Sunday evening said: “The Appointments Committee of Cabinet, on May 26, 2024, approved the extension in service of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj C Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC for a period of one month, beyond his normal age of superannuation (May 31, 2024), i.e. up to June 30, 2024, under Rule 16 A (4) of the Army Rules 1954.”
Usually, a new Army chief is announced weeks ahead of the officer taking charge as the head of India’s 13-lakh-strong Army.
General Pande was appointed as the COAS on April 30, 2022.
Commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers), Gen Pande had held the appointment of Vice Chief of the Army Staff before taking over as the COAS.
While no reason was offered on the extension, it may be plausible that with the all-important parliamentary elections ongoing and matters of governance in a flux, it may not be very conducive to bring in a new chief on June 1 while the election results are to be declared on June 4.
In the past, the services of Sam Manekshaw as the Army chief was extended by a period of six months “in recognition of outstanding services to the Armed Forces and the nation” though he was to retire in June 1972. On January 1, 1973, Manekshaw was promoted to the rank of field marshal.
