Chairman, BoG

Summary

1. Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, served as commissioned officer in the Indian Army / Ministry of Defence from 17 December 1983 to 31 January 2022. He was commissioned into 4th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles in December 1983 and commanded 15th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles. He has held various appointments in combat zones and Senior Administrative capacity in the Indian Army.
2. An alumni of National Defence Academy, he is a graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. He has attended Senior Command Course, Higher Command Course and prestigious National Defence College Course. He has been adjudged ‘Best Student’ on two IT courses, Best Project in Software writing in addition to being adjudged the ‘Best Student’ on other tactical Army courses.
3. He has attended Senior Officers Course at Centre for Superior Studies of National Defence (CESEDEN) Madrid, Spain. He has also attended the Senior Executives Course on Transnational Security Cooperation at Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
4. He has served a total of eight tenures in Counter Insurgency /Counter Terrorism Operational areas of which six in Kashmir valley and tenure each in Jammu region and Manipur in North East.
5. He has been an Instructor at Infantry School Mhow and abroad responsible for training young officers. He has served four tenures in the Perspective Planning Directorate of Indian Army dealing with future strategies of Indian Army and preparation of 15 Years Long Term Perspective Plans for Strategy, Force Structuring, Technology & Weapon systems, Procurement Plans and Operations Research and Systems Analysis (ORSA).
6. In addition to normal command and staff assignments, he the distinction of commanding the always active in operations 15 Corps (Chinar Corps) responsible for military operations on the line of control and within the Kashmir Valley during the most challenging environment of Pulwama IED blast, Balakote air strikes and Abrogation of Article 370 & 35A.
7. He is MSc, MPhil and PhD. He is presently the Chairperson, Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi (HP), appointed by the Hon’ble President of India.
8. He was Director General Defence Intelligence Agency & Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence) under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) responsible for International Military Cooperation and strategic intelligence till he superannuated from service on 31 Jan 2022.
9. He is a dynamic value-oriented strategic military leader with extensive experience in WINNING. He is an expert on finding military and strategic solutions to challenging problems, building best in class teams, and solution-based strategies spanning over 39 years delivering mission-critical services to originations and governments.
10. Post his superannuation, he has authored first book of his life, a National Bestseller already, ‘Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye’ bringing to light the true stories from the Army veteran’s life, which gives an insight into the trials and tribulations faced by a soldier as also inspires a wide spectrum of people, especially the young defence aspirants. He is a motivational speaker and Leadership guide at various Universities, Colleges, Schools and TeDx / Josh Talks.
11. Regarded as an excellent organiser, great motivator, a self motivated Team Player and decisive leader with proven track record; he worked closely with India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in various strategic planning aspects related to International Strategic Intelligence, Counter terrorism in Kashmir.
12. Worked with Government’s top echelons to execute one of the most challenging policy changes of the recent times, i.e. Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
13. Security and Intel expert with an experience of nearly four decades at home and abroad. As Director General Defence Intelligence Agency, he worked closely with various National and International agencies and National / international government organisations.
14. As Corps Commander in Kashmir, launched many soft power initiatives to provide a healing touch to the lives of common people of Kashmir and bring the misguided youth back into the national mainstream.
    • ‘Operation Maa’ resulted in motivating more than 50 local Kashmiri terrorists to lay down arms and return to their families.
    • ‘Taleem se Taraqqi’ is an initiative to educate the Kashmiri youth and make them aspire for a better future instead of joining terrorist network
    • ‘Super 30’ and ‘Super 50’ were the most successful programs to prepare boys and girls of Jammu and Kashmir for admission in higher educational institutions / professional colleges across India.
    • ‘Humsaya Hain Hum’ (‘we are neighbours’) concept was to help the populace, largely marginalized classes, including the Scheduled Castes, Bakharwals, Pahadis, and Gujjars, living in the mountainous upper reaches of Kashmir and remote far-flung areas in the Valley. In addition to medical assistance etc, the initiative included conducting free tuition classes for the children of ‘Bakhrwals’ (nomads who come to the higher reaches with their families during summers to graze their livestock).

Educational Qualifications

1. MSc in Defence Studies - Madras University 1995
2. MPhil in Defence Studies - Madras University 2013
3. PhD in Management / Commerce - Gujarat University 2023
4. Independent Directors Course - Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurugram 2022

Fields of Specialisation
Military, Strategy, Intel, Leadership, Perspective Planning, Administration, Motivation, HR Management, Operations Research and Systems Analysis (ORSA)

Honours and Awards

1. Param Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the Hon’ble President of India
2. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal awarded by the Hon’ble President of India
3. Yudh Seva Medal awarded by the Hon’ble President of India
4. Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the Hon’ble President of India
5. Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card
6. General Officer Commanding in Chief Western Command Commendation Card