Dinesh Singh Rana

Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command. He was previously serving as the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. He earlier served as the Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, prior to that he was General Officer Commanding IV Corps. He is also the Colonel of the Regiment of the Garhwal Rifles since 28 June 2025.

Early life and education The general officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He is also an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, National Defence College, New Delhi. He also went to the Centre for National Defence Studies, Madrid and the National Defense University, United States. He also holds a Ph.D. on China’s Defence modernization. The General is a Scholar Warrior and has authored various research papers and articles on leadership and strategic issues.

Military career He was commissioned into the 10th battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on 19 December 1987 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

After getting promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, he was appointed as the Director General of Staff Duties at the IHQ of MoD (Army) in New Delhi. A year later on 31 March 2023, he assumed the appointment of Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA).

Awards and decorations The General officer has been awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021, the Yudh Seva Medal in 2015 and the Sena Medal in 1993. He was also awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for gallantry in Kashmir.

Dates of rank