Milan Lalitkumar Naidu

Lieutenant General Milan Lalitkumar Naidu PVSM, AVSM, YSM is a retired officer of the Indian Army who served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from October 2007 to December 2008.^[1]

Lieutenant General Milan Lalitkumar Naidu PVSM, AVSM, YSM
Vice Chief of the Army Staff
In office 1 October 2007 – 31 December 2008
Preceded by	Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor
Succeeded by	Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ARTRAC
In office October 2005 – September 2007
Preceded by	Lt Gen Hardev Singh Lidder
Succeeded by	Lt Gen Paramjit Singh
General Officer Commanding, XIV Corps
In office 2004 – October 2005
Preceded by	Lt Gen Arjun Ray
Succeeded by	Lt Gen R. K. Loomba
Personal details
Awards	Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Yudh Seva Medal
Military service
Allegiance	India
Branch/service	Indian Army
Years of service	1967–2008
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Rajput Regiment
Commands	5 Rajput Regiment Infantry Division (Rajasthan) XIV Corps (Leh) Army War College, Mhow Army Training Command (ARTRAC)
Battles/wars	Operation Pawan

Early life and education

Naidu was born and brought up in Bhopal. He completed his schooling at St. Joseph's Convent School, Bhopal, and joined the National Defence Academy in 1964. He was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment in December 1967.^[2]

He holds a Master of Science in Defence Studies and a master's degree in Ecology and Environment.^[2]

Military career

Naidu has held various instructional, staff, and command appointments in the Indian Army. He served as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy and as a Military Attaché in Germany. He commanded the 5th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka and was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for his service.^[3]

He also commanded an infantry division and the XIV Corps, headquartered in Leh, from 2004 to October 2005.^[4] Subsequently, he served as the Commandant of the Army War College and later as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).^[2]

Vice Chief of the Army Staff

Naidu was appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 October 2007, succeeding Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor.^[1] He served in this position until 31 December 2008, after which he was succeeded by Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj.^[5]

Post-retirement

After retiring from active service, Naidu has been involved in writing and contributing to military literature. He authored a book titled "Nizam – I – Bhopal".^[3]