# Manoj Kumar Katiyar

Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, AVSM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command. He earlier served as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) at IHQ of MoD (Army), prior to that he was General Officer Commanding I Corps. He is also the Colonel of the Rajput Regiment since 1 February 2022.

## Early life and education

The general officer is an alumnus of Sainik School, Ghorakhal. He then attended the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. He has done all important courses to include Defence Services Staff Course, Wellington and National Defence College course. Besides, he is also a Distinguished graduate of National War College, USA.

## Military career

He was commissioned into the 23th battalion of the Rajput Regiment in June 1986 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. In a distinguished career spanning over 37 years he has served across vivid terrains and has undertaken many staff and instructional appointments. He has served in Siachen Glacier, along LC both in 15 & 16 Corps and along LAC in 3, 14 and 33 Corps. He commanded his battalion twice; in Uri Sect and at Taksing in Western RALP. He commanded an Infantry Brigade along Western Borders, Army HQ Res Mountain Division along Northern Borders. He has been an instructor in Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and a Directing Staff at Defence Services Staff College. The general officers' staff appointments include a Grade 1 post in Military Operations Directorate, Brigadier General Staff appointments in HQ Corps and in HQ Central Command and Director General of Staff Duties at IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi.
On 5 April 2021, he took over as the General Officer Commanding I Corps from Lieutenant General C. P. Cariappa. After completing his term as I Corps Commander, on 11 May 2022 he assumed the appointment as the Director General of Military Operations.
On 1 July 2023, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command succeeding Lieutenant General Nav K Khanduri when the latter superannuated from service on 30 June 2023.

## Personal life

He is married to Mrs Shuchi Katiyar, a homemaker, and the couple is blessed with two sons; Achintya Katiyar is working in an IT Company in Bangalore and Kushagra Katiyar is pursuing graduation.

## Awards and decorations

The General officer has been awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021
| Param Vishisht Seva Medal | Param Vishisht Seva Medal | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Samanya Seva Medal | Special Service Medal | Siachen Glacier Medal | Operation Parakram Medal |
| Sainya Seva Medal | High Altitude Medal | Videsh Seva Medal | 75th Independence Anniversary Medal |
| 50th Independence Anniversary Medal | 30 Years Long Service Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal |

## Dates of rank

| Rank | Component | Date of rank |
| Second Lieutenant | Indian Army | 14 June 1986 |
| Lieutenant | Indian Army | 14 June 1988 |
| Captain | Indian Army | 14 June 1991 |
| Major | Indian Army | 14 June 1997 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Indian Army | 16 December 2004 |
| Colonel | Indian Army | 1 May 2007 |
| Brigadier | Indian Army | 14 December 2012 (acting) 1 April 2013 (substantive, with seniority from 11 June 2011) |
| Major General | Indian Army | 1 October 2018 (seniority from 1 February 2017) |
| Lieutenant General | Indian Army | 1 January 2021 |