Lt General Arvind Kumar has served the Indian Army for over 40 years. He saw active operation in Indo-Pak War of 1965, just a year after his commissioning in the Armoured Corps. On the very first day of the war, he distinguished himself by destroying three enemy tanks (Patton M-47). He also saw active operation in Indo-Pak War of 1971 that led to creation of Bangladesh.

During peacetime, he was involved in numerous counter-insurgency operations in Punjab and Assam. He served in the Military Operation Directorate for three years honing his skills as a strategic thinking. Later, he commanded an Independent Armoured Brigade, a highly prestigious appointment. Considered an expert in armoured warfare at the theatre level, he was the Brigadier General Staff HQ 1 Corps, and the chief architect of all offensive plans of Indian Army on the Western Sector. He also commanded an infantry division and later acted as the Chief-of-Staff Eastern Command. He retired as the Director General Mechanized Forces.

He is a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College and holds a Masters in Military Science.