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{{Short description|Indian Army general (born 1964)}}
{{Indian patronymic|Arun|Ananthanarayan}}
{{Orphan|date=July 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] (Retd.)
| name = A. Arun
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Yudh Seva Medal|YSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| native_name =
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| image_size = 200px
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| birth_place = India
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| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| service_years = 14 December 1985 – 30 June 2024
| alma_mater = [[National Defence Academy (India)]] 
[[Indian Military Academy]]
| rank = [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|20px]] [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| service_number =
| unit = [[File:Grenadiers Insignia (India).svg|20px]] [[The Grenadiers|8 Grenadiers]]
| commands = Dakshin Bharat Area [[Rashtriya Rifles|7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles]] [[Rashtriya Rifles|55 Rashtriya Rifles]]
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| awards = [[File:Param_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Yudh_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Yudh Seva Medal]] [[File:Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Sena Medal]] [[File:Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| spouse = Roopa Arun
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[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]] '''Ananthanarayan Arun''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Yudh Seva Medal|YSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] is a retired [[general officer]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He was the Chief of Staff of the [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]], [[Jaipur]]. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area. He earlier served as the officiating Commandant of the [[Officers Training Academy]], Chennai.

==Early life and education==
Arun was born in [[Dindigul]], [[Madurai]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] on 17th Dec 1964. He secured an All India Rank of 13 in the [[Joint Entrance Examination]] for entry into the [[Indian Institute of Technology]].<ref name="ANI bio">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General A Arun is new GOC of Dakshin Bharat Area |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lieutenant-general-a-arun-is-new-goc-of-dakshin-bharat-area20210105201828/ |website=ANI News |access-date=22 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Even after getting such an impressive rank he decided to leave [[IIT Madras]] and chose to join the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]], as part of the 67th course.<ref name = "Youtube video">{{cite web |title=A Arun youtube video |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IfGYYgWByoU|website=Youtube Video}}</ref> He then was part of the 77th course of the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="TOI bio">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General A Arun assumes office as GOC of Army's Dakshin Bharat area |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/lieutenant-general-a-arun-assumes-office-as-goc-of-armys-dakshin-bharat-area/articleshow/80074747.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=22 February 2023 |date=2 January 2021}}</ref>

==Military career==
Arun was commissioned into the 8th battalion, [[The Grenadiers]] (8 GDRS) in December 1985. He attended the [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]]. In the rank of [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]], he raised the 55th battalion, The [[Rashtriya Rifles]] (The Grenadiers). The battalion was deployed in a counter-insurgency role in [[Pulwama]]. For his command of 55 RR, he was awarded the [[Sena Medal]] for gallantry on 15 August 2005.<ref name="SM">{{cite web |title=The Gazette of India |url=https://ia600809.us.archive.org/35/items/in.gazette.2005.453/W_48_2012_126_text.pdf |website=us.archive.org |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="Sena Medal">{{cite web |title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=M1PYQ9EUVPkkfgZjoBiD5Q==&ParentID=iT1huRrfRmDzaE1h0fpZoQ== |website=www.indianarmy.nic.in |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> In 2007, while still in command of 55 RR, he was awarded the [[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces#Commendation Card|Chief of the Army Staff's Commendation]].<ref name="COAS Commendation">{{cite web |title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimpleWithTenPara.aspx?MnId=CYasCVPpcOZK5IGdVKKLOw==&ParentID=8bUTg9U+8UCy9KNzk0yppA== |website=www.indianarmy.nic.in |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> He subsequently attended the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, Canberra.<ref name="Punekar Bio" />

Promoted to the rank of [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]], Arun commanded the 7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles in [[Handwara]]. For his command of 7 Sector RR, he was awarded the [[Yudh Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2014.<ref name="YSM">{{cite web |title=368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102732 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> He was then selected to attend the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]] in New Delhi, as part of the 55th course.<ref name="NIE Bio">{{cite web |title=Lt Gen Arun, new GOC of Dakshin Bharat Area |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/jan/03/lt-gen-arun-new-goc-of-dakshin-bharat-area-2244731.html |website=The New Indian Express |date=3 January 2021 |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref>

As part of the [[United Nations]], Arun has served in the [[United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia]] and in the International Task Force as part of the [[United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone]]. He also served at the [[Headquarters of the United Nations]] working on the forecasting and structuring of large coalitions including significant civilian components. Arun also attended the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course conducted in Geneva, Switzerland.<ref name="Punekar Bio" />

===General officer===
Arun was promoted to the rank of [[Major general (India)|Major General]] and appointed [[General officer commanding]] a mountain division in the North East. He subsequently served as the Deputy Commandant, Chief Instructor, and officiating Commandant of the [[Officers Training Academy]], Chennai. He also served as Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow. Promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]], he served as the Director General of Strategic Planning at Army headquarters.<ref name="ANI bio"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-27 |title=Lt Gen Ananthanarayanan is 16th Rising Star Corps commander |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lt-gen-ananthanarayanan-is-16th-rising-star-corps-commander-101616790392411.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

On 2 January 2021, Arun was appointed the General Officer Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area. Earlier called the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area), the Dakshin Bharat area is a static formation that provides administrative, logistical, and infrastructure support to formations and establishments in these states as well as the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=SqrZ5L0l3e72j7QUlz3XddB41xGxVjL0ryAA5VBHw8o=&ParentID=VoTUvU1ti37BSzBtJd39r8+PlEvLK4ew8koiutpb0UI=&flag=xYbhsRFMNfmFFs+htbOGVg== |website=www.indianarmy.nic.in |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> In February 2022, he took over as the [[Colonel of the Regiment (India)|Colonel of the Grenadiers]] from Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi.<ref>{{cite web |title=LT GEN RAJEEV SIROHI, COLONEL THE GRENADIERS, CONFERSTHE RANK OF HONORARY CAPTAIN ONSUBEDAR MAJOR (HONORARY LIEUTENANT) YOGENDRA SINGH YADAV, PARAM VIR CHAKRA |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1746076 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> In April 2023, he was appointed Chief of Staff of [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]] in Jaipur. On 26 January 2024, he was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]. He retired on 30 June 2024 after 39 years of glorious service in the Indian army.<ref>{{cite web |title=75th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous75th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999669 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Arun is married to Roopa Arun, an educationist and founder principal of The Cambridge International School, Bangalore. The couple has a daughter Zephyr.<ref name="Punekar Bio">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General A Arun Is New GOC Of Dakshin Bharat Area |url=https://www.punekarnews.in/lieutenant-general-a-arun-is-new-goc-of-dakshin-bharat-area/ |website=punekarnews.in |date=5 January 2021 |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
Arun was awarded the Sena Medal in 2005, the Yudh Seva Medal in 2014, and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015. He has also been awarded the [[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces#Commendation Card|Chief of the Army Staff's Commendation]] 4 times.

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:Param_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|105px]] [[File:Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]] [[File:Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Wound_Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND_High_Altitude_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:UNOMSIL_Medal_bar.gif|105px]]
|[[File:UN UNTAC Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:UN Head Quarter Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
| [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan=2| [[Yudh Seva Medal]]
| [[Sena Medal]]
|-
| [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| [[Wound Medal (India)|Wound Medal]]
| [[Special Service Medal (India)|Special Service Medal]]
| [[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|-
| [[Operation Parakram Medal]]
| [[Sainya Seva Medal]]
| [[High Altitude Medal]]
| [[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
| [[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
| [[50th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
| [[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
| [[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|-
| [[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
| [[United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone|UNAMSIL Medal]]
| [[United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia|UNTAC Medal]]
| [[Headquarters of the United Nations|UNHQ medal]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef| before = N. P. Rao}}
{{s-ttl| title = [[General Officer Commanding]] Dakshin Bharat Area| years = 2021 - 2023}}
{{s-aft|after=Karanbir Singh Brar}}
{{s-bef| before = Manish Erry}}
{{s-ttl| title = Chief of Staff, [[South Western Command]]| years = 2023 - present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arun, A}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Yudh Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sena Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:National Defence College, India alumni]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Commandants of Infantry School, Mhow]]

A. Arun - Revision history

Antoniomec at 00:58, 29 April 2026