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Manoj Mukund Naravane Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

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

Quick Info

Date of birth22 April 1960

Age62 Years

BirthplacePune, Bombay State, India

ProfessionArmy Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseVeena Naravane

FamilyTwo daughters (Isha and Amala)

Manoj Mukund Naravane Biography

General Manoj Mukund Naravane is a retired senior Indian Army officer who served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff. A career infantry officer with over 4

Early life and background

Manoj Mukund Naravane was born on 22 April 1960 in Pune, then part of Bombay State. He grew up in Pune and attended Jnana Prabodhini Prashala for his schooling. His father, Mukund Naravane, served in the Indian Air Force and his mother, Sudha Naravane, worked as an announcer with All India Radio.

Naravane went on to receive formal military education at the National Defence Academy in Pune and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. He also pursued higher studies, earning a master's degree in Defence Studies from the University of Madras and an M.Phil. in Defence and Management from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. His professional military education includes the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and the Army War College in Mhow.

Career

Naravane was commissioned into the Indian Army in June 1980 and began his service with the 7th Sikh Light Infantry. Over the course of a long career he rose to the rank of General and held command and staff appointments across a wide spectrum of operational and training formations.

He served in counter-insurgency operations in both Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, and commanded units including the Rashtriya Rifles and the Assam Rifles. His appointments included Inspector General (North) of the Assam Rifles, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Delhi Area, and GOC-in-C of the Army Training Command from December 2017 to 30 September 2018.

Naravane also served overseas as the Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar. On 1 October 2018 he took charge as the GOC-in-C of Eastern Command, the formation responsible for guarding India’s eastern border sectors. While he was GOC-in-C of Delhi Area, he was the commander of the 2017 Republic Day Parade.

On 31 December 2019, Manoj Mukund Naravane became the 28th Chief of the Army Staff of India, succeeding General Bipin Rawat. He led the Army through a period that included the continuation of long-standing operational responsibilities along India’s borders. On 16 December 2021 he assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee following the death of the previous incumbent. General Naravane retired from active service on 30 April 2022 and handed over charge to General Manoj Pande.

Public profile

Naravane is a recipient of several distinguished service awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2019), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2017), Sena Medal (2015), and Vishisht Seva Medal (2015). His personal interests include painting, gardening, yoga, and golf. Physically, he is listed at approximately 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) in height, with black eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.

Family and personal life

He is married to Veena Naravane, a teacher with extensive experience in education who has served as the Vice President of the Army Wives’ Welfare Association. The couple have two daughters: Isha, who is described as a performing artist, and Amala, who works as a PR consultant. Naravane follows Hinduism and is identified in available records as belonging to the Marathi Brahmin community.

Latest updates

Following a nearly 42-year career that began in 1980, General Manoj Mukund Naravane retired from the Indian Army on 30 April 2022. His tenure as Army Chief and as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee marked the culmination of a long series of operational and command appointments across India and abroad.
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Recent Work

Chief of the Army Staff (28th)

Served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff of India from 31 December 2019 until retirement on 30 April 2022; also served as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 16 December 2021.

2019-2022
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command

Assumed charge as GOC-in-C of Eastern Command on 1 October 2018, responsible for eastern border sectors.

2018-2019
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command

Led the Army Training Command from 1 December 2017 to 30 September 2018.

2017-2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Commissioned into the 7th Sikh Light Infantry in June 1980
  2. Commanded Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles formations
  3. Commander of the 2017 Republic Day Parade
  4. Became the 28th Chief of the Army Staff on 31 December 2019
  5. Assumed charge as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on 16 December 2021
  6. Retired as Chief of Army Staff on 30 April 2022
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Manoj Mukund Naravane born?

22 April 1960

What is Manoj Mukund Naravane known for?

Army Personnel

What is Manoj Mukund Naravane’s marital status?

Married

Who is Manoj Mukund Naravane married to?

Veena Naravane