- Government appoints incumbent Vice Chief of the Army Staff as the next Chief of the Army Staff following the retirement of General Upendra Dwivedi
- Nearly four decades of operational, strategic and force modernisation experience position the Armoured Corps veteran to steer the Army into its next phase of transformation
- From commanding strike formations and counter-insurgency operations to shaping capability development, the new Army Chief brings a rare blend of battlefield leadership and strategic vision
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 13
The Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026, ushering in a new chapter in the leadership of the Indian Army.
Lieutenant General Seth will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires from service on the same day after an illustrious tenure at the helm of the Army.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lieutenant General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 and has built an exceptional military career spanning nearly four decades, marked by distinguished service across operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains.
Widely regarded as a seasoned military strategist and force moderniser, the incoming Army Chief has played a pivotal role in enhancing the Indian Army’s combat readiness while contributing significantly to its long-term transformation and future force architecture.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant General Seth has commanded formations at every level across diverse operational theatres. 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 & Kashmir, reflecting his extensive experience in both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations, before taking charge as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key national and international military engagements along with ceremonial responsibilities.
Following his elevation to Army Commander, Lieutenant General Seth led both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands over a period of more than two-and-a-half years while providing strategic oversight across some of the country’s most critical theatres.
Beyond field command, he has held several influential staff appointments that have significantly shaped operational planning, force management and capability enhancement within the Indian Army.
Recognised for his vision in military modernisation, Lieutenant General Seth has served in key positions within the Strategic Planning and Capability Development verticals at Army Headquarters, where he played an instrumental role in defining the Army’s modernisation roadmap, capability development strategy and long-term force structuring initiatives.
His contributions have been central to aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and the evolving demands of future battlefields.
An accomplished military scholar, Lieutenant General Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education, securing top positions in several advanced courses. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, besides having attended the prestigious Command & Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad strategic perspective and deep understanding of contemporary military affairs.
His appointment comes at a crucial juncture as the Indian Army accelerates its transformation agenda, strengthens indigenous capability development and prepares for the evolving challenges of technology-driven warfare in an increasingly complex security environment.
