New Delhi: Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, who was India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during Operation Sindoor, was conferred with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The SYSM is the highest distinguished service decoration to be awarded to an Indian armed forces officer.
Lt Gen Ghai was among seven officers to receive the award. The general officer is now the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Planning). He was appointed as DGMO on October 25, 2024, and was at the helm of planning and execution of India’s military action against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. It was this planning and execution that brought Pakistan to its knees on May 10, 2025, forcing its DGMO to seek a ceasefire.
He was also appointed as military adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat on June 12, 2026. The highly decorated officer has extensive experience in both conventional and counter-terrorism operations, having served as a company commander with the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir and leading a battalion in northeastern India.
Lt Gen Ghai also commanded an infantry battalion in the western sector, an independent brigade in the northern sector and was also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 56th Infantry Division.
He also served with the United Nations in Lebanon as a staff officer. After being promoted to Lt Gen, he took over as GOC of the XV Corps. Also known as the Chinar Corps, it is based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
The officer, who was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment and is now with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, is not new to gallantry awards and decorations. He is the recipient of three Sena Medals, a rare feat for any officer in the armed forces. He was also conferred with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) and Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM).
Among those conferred with distinguished service decorations during the day was India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. He was among 30 officers to be conferred with the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) by President Murmu. The Admiral is already a recipient of the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal (VSM).
A total of 105 distinguished service decorations were given away by the President during the day. Apart from the seven SYSMs and 30 PVSMs, the President also presented 12 UYSMs and 56 AVSMs.
