Biography

Gen Kochhar, an alumnus of YPS Patiala from the class of 1967, is a graduate of the 41st course of the NDA and was commissioned in the Indian Army in 1972. Apart from the mandatory technical courses, he has attended the prestigious Defence Services Staff College. Wellington, Senior Command, Higher Command and National Defence College, New Delhi. With an outstanding academic record, he is a postgraduate in Def studies from Madras University and has completed his M Phil in Def Mgt from DAVV University, Indore. He has successfully completed his PHD in HRD. The General officer had carved a niche for himself as an eminent engineer in the armed forces.

The General Officer had the distinction of commanding an independent field workshop in the UN Mission in Somalia. As a Col, he commanded an EME Battalion in op RHINO in CL Ops. As a Brigadier, he had the privilege of commanding EME Centre when the new president’s colours were presented. The General Officer has served in coveted staff and instructional appointments, including instructor at NDA, DAA & QMG of a Mountain Brigade in the North East and DDEME (Ops & Plans) at Directorate General of EME at Army HQs.

The General Officer has served as Col GS at Army War College, Col Adm of Infantry Division, Director EME (Coord) at Army HQ, MG I/C Adm of Northern command, DG Adm & Coord at IHQ of MoD and Chief Of Staff, HQ Army Training Command(ARTRAC). In each of his command, staff and instructional appointments, he has earned innumerable laurels and recognition for the Indian Army.

Another feather in the cap of the General Officer is that he retired after tenure as Chief of Staff ATRAC, the only EME officer to have tenanted the appointment to date. During his tenure of two years and four months as COS ARTRAC, he has been instrumental in restructuring training across the spectrum in consonance with the terminal objectives desired from each trainee. He has also played a vital role in the transformation of the Indian Army by critically defining and guiding various studies being conducted and major doctrines being formulated at the ATRAC during his tenure. He has also played a major role in infrastructure development across the 32 Training Establishments of the Indian Army. Another significant project undertaken by ARTRAC steered under his able guidance was the restructuring of all Management programmes affecting the officers of the Indian Army.

The general officer also formed part of a delegation to Sweden and France in 2007 with a view to acquiring firsthand knowledge of the manufacture of spares of Gun 155mm FH77BO2 in order to indigenize the same. The General Officer has also led an inter-services delegation to Manila

(Philippines) to attend a military leadership forum in July 2009. He was also a member of the delegation to Australia in August 2009.

For his outstanding professional acumen, immaculate planning and immense contribution as Col Adm of 14th Infantry Division, He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2001. As Dir EME (Coord) at Army HQ, he was awarded the Sena Medal in 2004. As DG Adm & Coord at Army HQ, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished services of an exceptionally high order. Apart from this, the General Officer is also a recipient of the COAS Commendation Card once and the GOC-in-C Commendation Card twice. He has been awarded the Bar to Ativishist Seva Medal by the President of India on Republic Day 2013 for distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

The General Officer is a keen sportsman and has represented India at the Asian Regatta Sailing Championship in 1981. He trained the cadets of NDA in the Rowing Club for the National Rowing Championships, where they won two bronze medals in 1984. He was a member of the Technical Committee of the OK Dinghy International Association in the UK. He is an outstanding tennis player and also a well-known personality in the field of adventure activities. Qualified in mountaineering and skiing from the reputed High Altitude Warfare School, he was a member of the NDA mountaineering expedition to Mt NUNKUN (23410 ft) in 1971.

The General Officer has been lecturing on military leadership at the Indian Institute of Management, Indian School of Business, Management Development Institute, as well as various other institutes around the country. He also takes a keen interest in the teaching of ethics and morals in institutions.

The General officer superannuated from the Indian army and joined O.P. Jindal Global (Institution of Eminence Deemed To Be University) in September 2012 as the Senior Director of the Jindal Institute of Leadership Development and Executive Education (JILDEE).