Lieutenant General Anil Chandra Chait, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a former General Officer of the Indian Army. He last served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, from July 2013 to June 2014. He had also served as the 29th General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Command.[1]


Anil Chait

Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1973–2014
Rank Lieutenant General
Service numberIC-30016
CommandsIntegrated Defence Staff
Central Command
Army War College, Mhow
II Corps
54 Infantry Division
Awards Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal

Early life and education

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Chait attended the Sainik School, Lucknow (later christened Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey U.P. Sainik School, Lucknow).[2] He then attended the National Defence Academy Khadagwasla, Pune and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

Military career

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Early career

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Chait was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1973. In his early years, he served with the Special Action Group (SAG) of the National Security Guard. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal during this tenure.[3] Chait has attended the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington. He later served as a Directing Staff at DSSC as well.

As a colonel, Chait commanded an armoured regiment and served as the colonel general staff (Col GS) of an infantry division on the Line of Control during Operation Parakram. He also served in a staff appointment in the Military Secretary's branch at Army Headquarters, where he was awarded the COAS Commendation Card.[4] Promoted to the rank of brigadier, Chait commanded an independent armoured brigade. He also served in the Perspective Planning Directorate. He also attended the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the Medal of Excellence.

General officer

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As a major general, he commanded the 54th Infantry Division in Secunderabad. During this tenure, Chait successfully organised the 2007 Military World Games, for which was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008.[5][6] Chait also served as the ADG (D&V) at Army Headquarters where he was involved in the transformation of Indian Army 2020.

After promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, Chait took command of the Strike Corps - II Corps.[7] He commissioned a study on the restructuring of the Strike Corps, during this tenure. Chait then took over as the Commandant of the Army War College, Mhow.[8] He played an important work in converting the 54th Infantry Division, a formation he earlier commanded, into a Reorganised Amphibious Formation (RAMFOR) in 2011.[9]

He was promoted to army commander grade and took over as the general officer commanding-in-chief Central Command in 2012.[10] He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal during this tenure. In 2013, Chait spearheaded Operation Ganga Prahar[11] and Operation Surya Hope, the Indian Army's response to the 2013 North India floods. In July 2013, Chait moved to New Delhi as the 9th Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).[12] After serving as the CISC for a year, Chait retired in June 2014.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Daily Excelsior....News Page". www.dailyexcelsior.com.
  2. ^ "War Heroes & Alumni – CAPTAIN MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY U.P. SAINIK SCHOOL, LUCKNOW". upsainikschool.org.
  3. ^ "Lt Gen Anil Chait takes over as Central Command head". Firstpost. 29 February 2012.
  4. ^ "War Heroes & Alumni – CAPTAIN MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY U.P. SAINIK SCHOOL, LUCKNOW". upsainikschool.org.
  5. ^ sainiksamachar.nic.in http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h1.htm. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ "Republic Day gallantry and other Defence decorations". pib.gov.in.
  7. ^ "h14". sainiksamachar.nic.in.
  8. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Haryana Plus". www.tribuneindia.com.
  9. ^ "Army converts one infantry division into RAMFOR". Moneycontrol. 20 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Daily Excelsior....News Page". www.dailyexcelsior.com.
  11. ^ Pioneer, The. "Operation Ganga Prahar -Army Aids Flood Affected". The Pioneer.
  12. ^ "Lieutenant General Anil Chait Takes over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to CISC". pib.gov.in.
  13. ^ Desk, India TV News (24 April 2014). "Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to be next Army chief: Sources". www.indiatvnews.com. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
Military offices
Preceded by
Lt Gen N C Marwah
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff
2013 - 2014
Succeeded by
Air Mshl P P Reddy
Preceded by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Command
2012 - 2013
Succeeded by
Rajan Bakhshi
Preceded by
S P Rai
General Officer Commanding 54th Infantry Division
2006 - 2008
Succeeded by
Rajesh Singh