Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this big story:
Sources said that in the current situation - a reorganised and restructured military force in the north, continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the north east - a person with operational experience is needed.
Sources said Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas, and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.
He has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the Line of Control with Pakistan, the Line of Actual Control with China, and in the North-East.
Lt Gen Rawat has 10 years of experience in counter-insurgency operations and also was posted on the Line of Control. He was involved in 1986 Operations in Eastern Sector facing China. He was also posted in Pulwama in the 19 Division in 1986.
His experience as GOC-in-C Southern Army Command in Mechanised Warfare has been focused towards the western borders, in coordination with the other two services.
He is known for his balanced approach towards soldiering, compassion, and connect with civil society, sources said.
In the selection and nomination of the Chief of Army Staff designate by the government, due process had been followed considering the prevailing security environment, the sources added.
While the Congress and the Left Front had questioned the selection, the BJP has slammed what it calls the "politicising" of a key army appointment.
The defence establishment is divided. Retired Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain said, "I have only endorsed the upgradation of the army chief to the highest rank. There is nothing political about this. The Indian Army is above politics."
Former army chief General Shankar Roy Chowdhury, however, said he did not agree that the present appointee "has the kind of experience we need" and added that he was "beyond disappointed and anxious" about the move's impact within the forces. While it was the government's prerogative to appoint Army chief, the decision has opened up a controversy on an issue that is "extremely divisive within the army", he added.
Woman Dies After Jumping Off Elevated Platform At Delhi Metro Station: Cops No Coercive Action Against Delhi Home Buyers Over EMI Payment By Banks, Builders: Supreme Court Fire At Veg Gulati On Delhi's Pandara Road, Restaurant Responds On Social Media World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 4 Passengers Die As Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derails In UP Puja Khedkar's Mother Was Hiding At Lodge With Cab Driver, Used Fake ID Chartered Accountancy Final Exam Schedule For November Session Out Earliest Evidence Of Biblical Scarlet Dye Found In Israel Desert Private Sector Quota Bill To Be Taken Up In Next Cabinet Meet: Siddaramaiah Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.