General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC (16 March 1958 – 8 December 2021) was an Indian military officer who was a four-star general of the Indian Army. He served as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020 until his death in a helicopter crash on 8 December 2021. Prior to taking over as the CDS, he served as 57th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as well as 26th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. On 8 December 2021, Gen Rawat, his wife (Mrs Madhulika Rawat) and members of his staff were amongst 10 passengers and 4 crew members aboard an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter flight en route from the Sulur Air Force base to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, where Gen Rawat was to deliver a lecture. At around 1210 Hr, local time, the aircraft crashed near the outskirts of Coonoor Town, Nilgiris district. Gen Rawat was 63 at the time of his death.

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