He assumed the post from General Bipin Rawat and was succeeded by Dewan Rabindranath Soni.

He has also held numerous staff appointments including Brigade Major of an armoured brigade, Assistant Military Secretary at the Military Secretary's branch, a Staff Officer in Weapons and Equipment Directorate at IHQ, New Delhi; instructor at Infantry School, Mhow; instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Additional Directorate General of Mechanised Forces and GOC-in-C of the Army Training Command.

He held various appointments including Military observer, Chief Personal Office and Regional Commander at the UN Mission in Angola.

[1][2][10][11] On 17 December 2016, the Government of India appointed Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff, superseding Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi (Eastern Army Commander) and him.The appointment made by NDA ruled Government was politically controversial.General Bipin Rawat was accused of nepotism and gratuitously politicising the appointment, by the senior serving and retired military officers.

[12][13][14] He is married to Zarina Hariz and they have a son who is also an officer in the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and a daughter who is a teacher.