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Bipin Rawat Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth16 March 1958

Age63 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceSaina Village, Birmoli, Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, India (now Uttarakhand)

ProfessionArmy Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseMadhulika Rawat

FamilyTwo daughters: Kritika Rawat and Tarini Rawat; father Laxman Singh Rawat (retired Lt. General)

Bipin Rawat Biography

Bipin Rawat was a four-star General of the Indian Army who became India’s first Chief of Defence Staff. Commissioned into the 5th Battalion of 11 Gorkha Rf

Early life and background

Bipin Rawat was born on 16 March 1958 in Saina Village, Birmoli, near Lansdowne in Pauri Garhwal (then in Uttar Pradesh, now in Uttarakhand). He came from a family with a long tradition of military service; his father Laxman Singh Rawat rose to the rank of Lieutenant General after beginning his career as a soldier. Bipin attended Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward’s School in Shimla before joining the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he earned the Sword of Honour on passing out.

Career

Rawat was commissioned into the 5th Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978, the same regiment in which his father had served. Over a 37-year career he amassed extensive experience in high-altitude warfare and counter‑insurgency operations, serving in a variety of command and staff appointments at every rank.

As a young officer he led a company in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir, and later commanded his battalion along the Line of Actual Control at Kibithu. He held command appointments in Rashtriya Rifles and led a multinational brigade for the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, earning Force Commander’s Commendations for that service. Promotion to Major General saw him take charge of the 19th Infantry Division (Uri). Later, as a Lieutenant General, he commanded III Corps based in Dimapur and then the Southern Command in Pune.

In January 2016 Rawat moved into the Army Commander grade as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command. He was appointed Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 September 2016 and was named Chief of the Army Staff on 17 December 2016. On 31 December 2019 he became India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, a post he held until his death in December 2021. He was also the honorary General of the Nepalese Army during his tenure.

Honours and recognitions

Throughout his service Rawat received multiple decorations for distinguished and operational service, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. A Padma Vibhushan (Civil Service) is recorded in connection with his name in 2022.

Public profile

Known for a straightforward and assertive style, Rawat attracted public attention during his career for comments and positions that sparked debate. He took part in public events including flying a sortie in an indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas at Aero India 2019, and he was known to maintain close ties with his native Uttarakhand, frequently visiting his home village.

Personal life

Bipin Rawat married Madhulika Rawat on 14 April 1986. The couple had two daughters, Kritika and Tarini. He was 63 years old at the time of his death. His hobbies included playing football and reading.

Death and legacy

On 8 December 2021 an Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter carrying General Rawat, his wife and other personnel crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. The crash killed Rawat, his wife and others aboard. He was cremated on 10 December 2021 at Brar Square crematorium in the Delhi cantonment; the cremation was reported to have taken place with his wife’s body alongside his.

In recognition of his service, the Army later renamed a military garrison at Kibithu in his honour as Gen Bipin Rawat military garrison.

Latest updates

Posthumous honours and memorials have continued, including the renaming of the Kibithu garrison in September 2022. Other formal recognitions connected to his service have been recorded after his death.
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Recent Work

Chief of Defence Staff

Served as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, from 31 December 2019 until his death on 8 December 2021.

2019–2021
Chief of the Army Staff

Served as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff prior to becoming CDS.

2016–2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Commissioned into 5/11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978
  2. Commanded battalion along the Line of Actual Control at Kibithu
  3. Led a multinational brigade in MONUSCO and received Force Commander’s Commendations
  4. Served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command
  5. Appointed 27th Chief of the Army Staff
  6. Became India’s first Chief of Defence Staff
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bipin Rawat born?

16 March 1958

What is Bipin Rawat known for?

Army Personnel

What is Bipin Rawat’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Bipin Rawat married to?

Madhulika Rawat