NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 30
General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, on Tuesday assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who retired after rendering more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation.
#GeneralDhirajSeth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM takes over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, #COAS of the Indian Army from #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, PVSM, AVSM. An accomplished officer with four decades of distinguished service, General Dhiraj Seth brings extensive operational, command and… pic.twitter.com/8GLoJiU0Hv
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 30, 2026
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, General Dhiraj 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 pivotal role in enhancing the Indian Army’s combat preparedness and long-term transformation.
- Decorated Armoured Corps officer succeeds General Upendra Dwivedi after nearly four decades of distinguished military service
- Veteran commander brings extensive operational experience across deserts, strike formations, counter-insurgency operations and strategic force development
- Renowned architect of capability development and military transformation to steer the Indian Army through an era of technology-driven warfare
- Leadership transition reinforces continuity, combat readiness and India’s long-term vision for a future-ready, modern and resilient Army
A battle-hardened commander with rich operational experience, General Seth has led formations at every level across diverse theatres. His command appointments include an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir.
As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations, before taking over as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he supervised key national and international military engagements along with ceremonial responsibilities of strategic importance.
Following his elevation to the rank of Army Commander, General Seth headed both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the rare officers to command two operational Army Commands. During more than two-and-a-half years in these appointments, he provided strategic oversight across critical operational theatres while strengthening force readiness and joint operational capabilities.
Beyond field command, General Seth has been widely acknowledged for shaping the Army’s future force structure and capability development. At Army Headquarters, he held pivotal appointments in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development verticals, where he played a leading role in driving force modernisation, long-term capability planning and the integration of emerging technologies into military operations.
His contributions have been instrumental in aligning the Indian Army’s operational requirements with the evolving character of warfare and future battlefield challenges.
An accomplished military scholar, General Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education. 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 vision and deep understanding of contemporary military affairs.
With General Dhiraj Seth at the helm, the Indian Army enters a new phase focused on operational excellence, technological transformation and sustained combat readiness, as it continues to safeguard the nation’s security amid an increasingly complex geopolitical and security environment.
General Upendra Dwivedi bids farewell after transforming the Indian Army into a future-ready fighting force
Bringing the curtain down on a distinguished military career spanning more than four decades, General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, on Tuesday relinquished the appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) upon superannuation, leaving behind a legacy defined by operational preparedness, transformational reforms and an unwavering commitment to national security.
#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, was presented a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, #NewDelhi, on the occasion of relinquishing the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff.
His distinguished career of over four decades reflects a legacy of selfless service,… pic.twitter.com/IRVp93GAAc
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 30, 2026
His tenure as the Army Chief will be remembered for strengthening the Indian Army’s combat readiness across multiple theatres, accelerating force modernisation, fostering greater integration among the three Services and driving technology-led transformation to prepare the force for the challenges of future warfare.
As Chief of the Army Staff, General Dwivedi accorded the highest priority to operational readiness, ensuring the Army maintained a vigilant and robust posture along the Northern Borders under Operation Snow Leopard, while discharging its responsibilities on the Western Front with professionalism, restraint and resolve.
A defining chapter of his tenure was Operation Sindoor, which showcased the Indian Army’s preparedness, precision and calibrated operational response in an evolving security environment.
General Dwivedi also provided strategic leadership to the Army’s ambitious ‘Decade of Transformation’, spearheading wide-ranging reforms encompassing force restructuring, capability enhancement, systems reform, human resource management, technology induction and military modernisation.
Several key initiatives—including Rudra Brigades, Bhairav Battalions, Ashni Drone Platoons, Shaktibaan Regiments, Divyastra Batteries, Electronic Warfare Brigades and Integrated Battle Groups—progressed significantly under his stewardship, reflecting the Army’s transition towards a modern, agile and technology-enabled fighting force.
Recognising the changing character of warfare, he consistently championed enhanced synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force, encouraging integrated operational planning, joint doctrines and theatre-oriented military structures to strengthen India’s overall defence preparedness.
Beyond operational reforms, General Dwivedi remained deeply committed to the welfare of serving soldiers, veterans, Veer Naris and military families. His tenure witnessed several initiatives aimed at strengthening the Army’s enduring bond with its personnel, including the Veterans Achievers Award, while reinforcing the principle that the Army’s responsibility towards its soldiers extends well beyond active service.
He also guided the formulation of the Strategic Security Guidelines @2047, aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the Armed Forces Vision @2047, providing a long-term roadmap for the Indian Army’s future preparedness, capability development and strategic evolution.
For his exceptional service to the nation, General Upendra Dwivedi has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
As he steps down from the nation’s highest military office, General Dwivedi leaves behind an Indian Army that is more technologically empowered, operationally agile and strategically prepared to safeguard India’s sovereignty in an increasingly complex global security landscape.
