Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, will retire from the Indian Army on March 31, concluding a distinguished military career of over four decades.
Commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment in June 1986, Lt Gen Katiyar has operated in diverse and challenging environments, including the Siachen Glacier, the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control. He assumed command of the Western Command on July 1, 2023.
Prior to this role, he served as Director General of Military Operations at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and as Commander of the 1 Corps. Additionally, he was the Colonel of the Rajput Regiment from February 2022 to December 2025.
An alumnus of Sainik School Ghorakhal, the National Defence Academy, and the Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Katiyar is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, as well as a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College in the United States.
Throughout his service, he held multiple command, staff, and instructional positions, including leading infantry units in Uri and Taksing, an Infantry Brigade along the western borders, and a Reserve Mountain Division along the northern borders.
He has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2025), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2025), and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2021) in recognition of his distinguished service.
In his farewell address, Lt Gen Katiyar said, “It has been an honour to serve the Indian Army and be at the helm of Western Command. Our formations performed exceedingly well during operations, and we continue to remain prepared for any contingency.”
He emphasised efforts to enhance operational capabilities, including the development of armed drones, and highlighted improvements in facilities for personnel, their families, and veterans.
“Our focus has been on improving habitat, schools, colleges and hospitals for our personnel and their families. Western Command has also received strong support from civil administration and local populations,” he added.
Lt Gen Katiyar expressed gratitude to soldiers, paramilitary forces, civil administration, and the media for their support, stating, “As I bid adieu to the Army, I thank all soldiers, BSF, CAPFs, civil administration, local population and media for their unwavering support.”