APRIL 30: Lieutenant General JP Mathew officially relinquished his post as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), marking the conclusion of an illustrious military career that spanned close to 40 years.On the day of his superannuation, Lt Gen Mathew paid solemn tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. As a mark of honour and respect for his distinguished service, a ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour was presented to him at the South Block lawns, attended by senior defence officials from all three services.
Since assuming the appointment of CISC in April 2023, Lt Gen Mathew has played a crucial role in promoting jointness and operational synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He spearheaded strategic initiatives to modernize India’s military capabilities, especially in emerging areas such as cyber and space defence. Under his leadership, the Defence Cyber Agency and the Defence Space Agency saw significant expansion, aimed at building robust and credible operational capabilities in these critical domains.
He also championed the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by encouraging deeper collaboration between the Indian Armed Forces, domestic defence industries, and academic institutions. His efforts have been instrumental in fostering innovation and promoting self-reliance in the defence sector.
Lt Gen Mathew’s impact extended to the education and training domain as well. He led reforms and curriculum overhauls in key institutions including the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, Military Institute of Technology, and National Defence Academy. Furthermore, he was a strong advocate for greater gender inclusion in the Armed Forces, pushing for enhanced participation of women in defence roles.
In addition to strengthening inter-services cooperation, Lt Gen Mathew played a vital role in advancing regional stability by representing the Indian Armed Forces in multiple international and regional defence forums. He was also pivotal in bolstering the military’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities.
Commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in December 1985, he became Colonel of the Regiment on January 9, 2022. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.