In December 2016, Bakshi was the front runner for the post of the Chief of the Army Staff.

However, keeping aside the trend of seniority being the lone criteria, the Government appointed General Bipin Rawat and he finally retired on 31 July 2017 being succeeded by Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna.

He has vast experience headed several formations of Indian Army including an armored brigade in the western sector, a division in Rajasthan and a corps in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

He was also the Colonel of Skinner's Horse, 18 Cavalry and 57 Armoured Regiment[2][3][5][6][7] During his career spanning over decades, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2017), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2015) and Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2013) for his service.

[8][9][10][11][12] On 17 December 2016, the Government of India appointed Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff, superseding him and Lt Gen Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz (Southern Army Commander).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.