New Delhi: Lieutenant General Codanda Poovaiah Cariappa has taken over as the new Master General Sustenance (MSG) of the Indian Army. Earlier, he was the General Officer Commanding of the elite First Strike Corps at Mathura. MGS is responsible for ensuring the sustenance of the Indian Army in terms of ammunition, clothing, general stores, and war-fighting equipment.

“As MGS, Lt. Gen. Cariappa would be responsible for ensuring the sustenance of Indian Army in terms of ammunition, clothing, general stores and war-fighting equipment. The MGS branch carries out complete Revenue Procurement of Indian Army,” Army officials said.

The post of MGS was created recently and was earlier known as Master General Ordinance and has been restructured as part of reforms. Alumnus of National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, Cariappa was commissioned on June 9, 1984 into the 4th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles. He is an expert in manoeuvre warfare, counter terrorism and operational art. 

Lt. Gen. Cariappa has also held varied coveted command, instructional and staff appointments. He has served in all types of terrain to include deserts, mountains and plains covering a wide spectrum of military operations that has given him an intellectual edge in understanding the nuances of complex military operations both at operational and strategic levels. 

He is also an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command at Army War College and NATO Defence College at United States Army War College. He has a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Defence Studies and Management as well as in Strategic Studies.