The tenure of Major General Premdhwaj Adhikari of the Nepali Army has been extended by six months. The decision was made by the Council of Ministers on Monday evening on the proposal of the Defense Ministry and the recommendation of the Nepali Army.
According to Section 17 (3) of the Army Act 2063 BS, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) can recommend the extension of service for officers who have served for a long period, are physically fit, and whose service is deemed necessary for the Nepali Army. The government can then approve the extension.
CoAS Ashok Raj Sigdel recommended the extension, which was approved up to the age limit for a Major General, which is 57 years. If Adhikari is not promoted to Lieutenant General (age limit 58) within this period, he will retire.
Adhikari was promoted to Major General on March 10, 2022. His tenure was extended two weeks before the completion of his three-year term.
Previously, the Council of Ministers had granted Adhikari a local promotion to Lieutenant General to allow him to apply for the position of Military Advisor to the United Nations. This local promotion is solely for that purpose, and he will remain a Major General while serving in Nepal. The UN has not yet decided on Adhikari's selection.
If selected, Adhikari would represent the Nepali Army at the highest level ever in the UN. Previously, Nirmal Kumar Thapa served as Force Commander in Syria for a UN peacekeeping mission, which was the highest level ever achieved by the Nepali Army. He has since returned to Nepal.
Nepal, a major contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping missions, has sought to increase its representation at higher levels.
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