Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju will take over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on May 1, 2022. An alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and National Defence Academy, he was commissioned in the Jat Regiment on December 15, 1984.

Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the Lieutenant General was tenanting the appointment of Director General Military Operations during the standoff on the LAC. This is a rare incidence where an officer who has not been an Army Commander will be taking over as the Vice Chief.

 He commanded his Battalion during 'Operation Parakram' in the Western Theatre and in Jammu & Kashmir. He also holds the distinction of commanding the Uri brigade along the Line of Control, a Counter Insurgency Force, and the Chinar Corps in the Kashmir Valley. The officer also served as the Commandant, of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.

During his illustrious career spanning 38 years, he has tenanted many important regimental, staff, and instructional appointments in the Army Head Quarters and in field formations, including, Colonel Military Secretary Legal in the Military Secretary branch, Brigadier General Staff of the operationally active White Knight Corps, Deputy Director General Military Operations & Director General Staff Duties.