Yogesh Kumar Joshi


Yogesh Kumar Joshi, UYSM, AVSM, VrC, SM, ADC is a serving General Officer in the Indian Army. He is the current General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, assuming office from Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on 1 February 2020.
He last served as the Chief of staff of the Northern Command, assuming the office from Lt Gen SK Sharma. Previously, he was the commander of Leh based Fire & Fury Corps.

Early life and education

Gen Joshi hails from Faridabad, Haryana and is the son of R P Joshi. He is a graduate of the 60th course and was allotted Kilo "K" squadron at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. Then he attended Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

Career

He was commissioned into 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. He has also served as the Director General of Infantry and ADG of Military Operations Branch in the Army HQ prior to his appointment as DG Infantry and subsequently GOC of XIV corp. He is the colonel of the regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles & the Ladakh Scouts. He was the 17th Commander, XIV Corps of the Indian Army and assumed the post on 31 August 2018, This was General Joshi's fourth tenure dealing with Chinese troops. He assumed the post from Lt General Santosh Kumar Upadhya.

Kargil War

He was a Lt colonel during Kargil War. He led 13th Battalion of the JAK Rif in Dras. His battalion launched four successful attacks, including the one to Pt 4875 which is now called Batra Top after Capt. Vikram Batra who laid down his life and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The Battalion was also conferred with the title of the 'Bravest Of the Brave' His battalion was awarded a total of seven Gallantry medals during Kargil War including two Param Vir Chakras, eight Vir Chakras and fourteen Sena Medals. He was the commanding officer of Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar.

An expert on China

The uniqueness that Gen Joshi brings to his office is not only his knowledge of the Chinese language but also the fact that he has served thrice before in the eastern Ladakh sector and has commanded a Brigade and a Division before taking over as commander of Fire & Fury Corps. He also served as a Defence Attache to China and negotiated the technicalities of the first India-China joint exercise “Hand-in-Hand” in Kunming in 2007 and led Army talks with China.

Vir Chakra Citation

The citation for the Vir Chakra reads as follows

Awards and Decorations

During his career, he has been awarded with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for commanding the Fire & Fury Corps, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Vir Chakra for his part in the Operation Vijay and the Sena Medal.



Dates of rank

In popular culture

In the movie LOC Kargil, he was portrayed by Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.