Apurba Kumar Bardalai (born 4 April 1956), is a retired Major General from the Indian Army. He holds a PhD from Tilburg University, where he is a Member of the Department of Organisation Studies. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi.
Career Having completed his training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Apurba Kumar Bardalai was commissioned into the 15th Battalion, the Rajput Regiment on 11 June 1977. Apurba Kumar Bardalai has served on foreign assignments including as Deputy Head of the Mission & Deputy Force Commander at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and as the Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team at Bhutan.
Dates of rank InsigniaRankComponentDate of rankSecond LieutenantIndian Army11 June 1977LieutenantIndian Army11 June 1979CaptainIndian Army11 June 1980MajorIndian Army11 June 1988Lieutenant-ColonelIndian Army1 April 1995ColonelIndian Army23 May 1996BrigadierIndian Army8 December 2005Major GeneralIndian Army1 May 2010
Writing Specialising in United Nations peacekeeping, Defence and Security, Apurba Kumar Bardalai has published one book, a PhD Thesis and several Journal Articles and other academic research material in his field.
In addition to his published works, he has delivered several lectures and public speeches on his subject of expertise, at various institutions. +YearTitle of WorkBook / Publisher / OrganisationType2006Changing Security Scenario: Implications for UN PeacekeepingKnowledge World (for United Service Institution of India)Book2023Keeping the Peace: UN Peace Operations and their Effectiveness: An AssessmentPentagon PressBook2021United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon: Assessment and Way ForwardTilburg UniversityDoctoral Thesis2018UN Peacekeeping Operations: Perspective of an Indian Peacekeeper.Aoun, E., P.I.E. Peter Lang.Book Chapter2023Ecology and Boundary: Mapping Overlapping Terrain.External Dimensions of Security of the North East Region, ed. Temjenmeren AoBook Chapter2024On the Geoeconomics Drivers of International ConflictsGlobal Political Economy, Geopolitics and International Security: The World in Permacrisis, edited by O. Mishra and S. SenBook Chapter2015India and Humanitarian Assistance in Post Conflict Peace Building.Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New DelhiIssue Brief2016UNIFIL: The many challenges of successful peacekeeping, Journal of Defence Studies, 2016.The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Journal Article2018UNPKO and Military Contributions: Challenges and Opportunities for Asia-Pacific Governments.United Service Institution of IndiaJournal Article2018United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Causes for Failure and Continuing Relevance.Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Journal Article2018Doklam and the Indo-China Boundary, Journal of Defence Studies.Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Journal Article2019A Conceptual Framework for Assessing Traditional Peace Operations.Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Journal Article2021Challenges to UN Peacebuilding.United Service Institution of IndiaJournal Article2022UN Peacekeeping and Ambiguity in Normative UN Norms.The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Journal Article2022Ukraine Conflict: Is UN peacekeeping an option?Hesperus Research & Development Organization (HRDO)Journal Article2023Traditional UN Peace Operation: Preventive Deployment for Conflict ManagementInstitute for Conflict Management, New DelhiJournal Article2023Private Military Contractors: The Dogs of WarMaj Gen AK Bardalai (Retd), "Private Military Contractors: the Dogs of War," Medals and Ribbons, 4, No.1, January–March 24, 36-39Medals and RibbonsJournal Article2023Capability Building of UN Peace OperationsUnited Service Institution of IndiaJournal Article2024Role of UN Peace Operations: An Actor of Stability in the Middle EastIndian Army - UN Journal 2024Journal Article2020Under the Blue Helmet.States of AnarchyPodcast Episode2024United Nations Truce Supervision Organization: Role, Relevance, Functions and Utility - Lessons for Future Peace OperationsGeneva Centre for Security Policy and Effectiveness of Peace Operations NetworkReport2016Review of United Nations Peacekeeping Challenge: The Importance of the Integrated Approach.Journal of Defence Studies, The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)Book Review
Honours and decorations For his dedication to duty as the Commander of a Mountain Brigade, Apurba Kumar Bardalai was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal on Republic Day, 2008.
Vishisht Seva MedalSpecial Service MedalSiachen Glacier MedalOperation Parakram MedalSainya Seva MedalHigh Altitude Service MedalVidesh Seva Medal50th Anniversary of Independence Medal30 Years Long Service Medal20 Years Long Service Medal9 Years Long Service MedalUNAVEM I MedalUNAVEM II MedalUnited Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Medal
References