Home Articles DGMO Full Form and Salary: Who is DGMO in the Indian Army?

DGMO Full Form and Salary: Who is DGMO in the Indian Army?

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Suman Saurav
Suman Saurav
DGMO Full Form and Salary: Who is DGMO in the Indian Army?
The current DGMO is Lt. Gen Rajiv Ghai, 2024 saw him appointed to this position. For roles like operation, he is one of the highest rank officers serving the longest till recently. Previousy, he worked as a commander along LAC and J&K region of the super sensitive tasked conflict areas of the country. He is responsible for the management of regions and border domain. He is well known for anti-terror operations, counter-terrorism and strategic planning.

The DGMO, also known as the Director General of Military Operations, is a high rank position of a Lieut General in the Indian Army. The important highlights are tabulated below:

Full Form

Director General of Military Operations

Position

Senior-most officer responsible for military operations in the Indian Army

Rank

Lieutenant General (Three-star rank)

Reporting To

Vice Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Army Staff

Headquarters

Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, New Delhi

Key Responsibilities

- Planning and execution of military operations    - Monitoring border activities    - Strategic and combat readiness    - Handling counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations    - Coordinating with Ministry of Defence and other armed forces    - Managing India-Pakistan DGMOs hotline    - Crisis and emergency military response

Role in Wartime

Directs and oversees all military operations and battlefield strategies

Role in Peacetime

Maintains operational preparedness, oversees troop deployment, handles ceasefire violations

Communication Role

Regular talks with Pakistan’s DGMO via hotline; briefings to PMO and MoD

Recent DGMO (as of 2024)

Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai

Notable Operations Handled

Cross-border surgical strikes, ceasefire management, counter-infiltration

Strategic Importance

Considered one of the most influential operational roles in Indian Army

What are the Powers of DGMO?

Holding among the highest positions in military operations, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) is a crucial participant in the Indian Army. As a three-star Lieutenant General, the DGMO guarantees the army is ready for action and oversees planning and execution of military operations. 

  • This role entails managing military movements throughout the nation and organizing activities during quiet as well as turbulent times. 
  • Making their opinions essential for military and security issues, the DGMO closely collaborates with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and coordinates with the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister’s Office. Usually the DGMO is the one providing the government and recommending next actions during times of crisis.
    The DGMO is essential for controlling border issues, particularly with sensitive neighbors like Pakistan and China, in terms of national security. 
  • They also operate the India-Pakistan DGMO hotline, which helps to calm conflicts and oversee ceasefire agreements. 
  • Counter-insurgency operations depend critically on the DGMO, which also reacts to cross-border attacks or large terrorist acts. 
  • The DGMO is regarded as a major actor in safeguarding India's military interests and preserving the region's stability because of their key role in operations and coordination.

Roles and Responsibilities of DGMO

  • Supervises all the fighting activities and even acts as the Indian Army strategist, all this during the India peacetime and wartime expectation.
  • He monitors Indian borders with Pakistan, China and other sensitive regions. Troop movement, operational readiness are one of his main works.
  • Works in close coordination with the Ministry of Defence, Air Force, and Navy, especially during joint operations.
  • He is in charge of special military operations such as planning, executing surgical strikes, anti-terrorism, and counter-insurgency.
  • He deals at a topside level of Pakistan in sensitive cease fire violations, border tension loves to openly talk to DGMO.
  • He strategizes and develops structures for emergency managing national conflict deciding immediately sustaining importance and pressure.
  • Indian Army's ongoing operations and planning, risks and threats as regularly briefed with Chief of Army Staff, Defence Minister and Prime Minister's Office.

Role in Wartime    

  •  Directs combat strategy
  • Coordinates with defence ministry
  • Operational command for nationwide deployments 

Role in Peacetime   

  • Monitoring LoC and LAC
  • Internal security strategy
  • Joint exercises and operations

International Role    

  • Coordinates through the India-Pakistan DGMO Hotline
  • Facilitates ceasefire talks and crisis communication

DGMO Salary

The important salary highlights are tabulated below:

Component

Details

Basic Monthly Pay

₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 (as per 7th Pay Commission)

Total Monthly Remuneration

₹2.5 lakh – ₹3 lakh (including allowances)

Allowances & Perks

- Government accommodation (official residence)

 

- Official car with driver

 

- Security cover

 

- Comprehensive medical facilities

 

- Travel allowances

 

- Telephone and communication benefits

 

- Retirement pension and benefits

Pay Level

Pay Matrix Level 15 (Lt. General Rank)

Grade Pay (Pre-7th CPC)

₹8,900 – ₹10,000 (now merged into Pay Matrix)

Service Category

Group A, Defence Services

Check more: Vikram Misri Salary 2025

How to Become DGMO in Indian Army?

You must note that there is no direct recruitment for the position of DGMO. One becomes a DGMO by promotion. 

Stage

Rank/Position

Details

Entry into Indian Army

Lieutenant

Through NDA, CDS, or other commissioning ways.

Junior Level Officer

Captain / Major

Gets field expertise in operations and leadership.

Mid-Level Officer

Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel

Gives commands battalion or serves in staff roles; performance matters here.

Senior Officer

Brigadier

Spearheads brigade; involvement in high-level strategic operations.

Top Command Officer

Major General

Appointed to higher strategic, planning, or operational positions.

Eligible for DGMO Role

Lieutenant General

Must be an IPSC-cleared officer with proven operational excellence.

Final Appointment

DGMO

Appointed by Army HQ based on merit, strategic expertise, and service record.

Rank Requirement is that he must be a serving Lieutenant General with proven experience in operations and strategy

Can a Colonel or Brigadier Become a DGMO?

A Colonel or Brigadier cannot directly become DGMO; one must be promoted to Lieutenant General with exceptional operational and strategic experience. The process usually follows: Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lt. Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier → Major General → Lieutenant General

Comparison with Pakistan DGMO

The detailed comparison table is below:

Particulars 

DGMO India 

DGMO Pakistan

What is the rank?

Lieutenant General (3-star)    

Major General (2-star)

Reports to

Chief of Army Staff    

Chief of Army Staff

Salary per month

Rs 2.5–3 lakh (INR) incl. allowances    

Rs 1.06 lakh – 1.51 lakh

Communication Plan

Weekly hotline with Pak DGMO, direct crisis contact    

Hotline with Indian DGMO, direct crisis contact

How are they selected?

  Senior-most, extensive operational experience, selected by the Army Chief & the Defence Ministry    

Senior-most operational expertise, selected by the Army Chief

Work Profile

  •  Strategic planning
  • Border management
  • Counter-terror ops
  • Tri-services coordination
  • Ceasefire negotiations    
  • Operational planning
  • Border management
  • Counter-insurgency
  • Ceasefire negotiations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of DGMO?

The full form of DGMO is Director General of Military Operations. He is a high rank position of a Lieut General in the Indian Army.

Who is the current DGMO of India?

An alumni of the Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Ghai is noted for his strategic leadership specifically in Jammu and Kashmir. Appointed DGMO in October 2024, he currently directs military operations in India, collaborates with intelligence services, and heads military diplomacy—particularly with Pakistan.

Who is Rajiv Ghai DGMO?

Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai is the current DGMO of the Indian Army, appointed in 2024. Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai is a high-ranking officer with vast experience in operational roles. He previously served in important command and staff appointments in conflict-prone areas like Jammu & Kashmir and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

What is the salary of a DGMO?

Total monthly remuneration amounts to ₹2.5 lakh – ₹3 lakh (including allowances). He is also provided with government accommodation (official residence), official car with driver, security cover, comprehensive medical facilities, travel allowances, telephone and communication benefits, retirement pension and benefits.

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