General Dhiraj Seth takes over as the new Chief of the Army Staff.
| Photo Credit: ANI
General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
During a military career spanning nearly four decades, he has served across operational, strategic, capability development, and institutional domains, playing a key role in enhancing the Indian Army’s combat readiness and long-term transformation.
General Seth has commanded formations at every level in diverse operational environments. His command assignments include an armoured regiment in the desert sector, an armoured brigade in the Western Theatre, and a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir. As a Lieutenant-General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s premier strike formations.
He later served as the General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing key national and international military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities. After being promoted to the rank of Army Commander, he led both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers to command two operational Army Commands.
At the Army Headquarters, General Seth held several key appointments in strategic planning and capability development, where he contributed to the Army’s modernisation roadmap, force restructuring, and the integration of emerging technologies into future warfighting capabilities.
A distinguished military professional, General Seth is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. He has also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris and is recognised for his outstanding performance in professional military education.
General Seth takes over the leadership of the Indian Army at a time when the force is pursuing major modernisation initiatives, technology-driven capability enhancement, and reforms aimed at preparing for future multi-domain warfare.
Published – June 30, 2026 03:23 pm IST
