Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed next Army Chief, to succeed Gen Upendra Dwivedi on June 30
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi, June 13. The government has appointed Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume office on the afternoon of June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who is set to retire on the same day.
Lt Gen Seth, a decorated officer and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a military career spanning nearly four decades, he has held a series of operational, strategic and capability development assignments, playing a key role in enhancing the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and modernisation efforts.
The General Officer has commanded formations at every level across varied operational environments. His command assignments have included 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 headed the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s principal strike formations, before serving as the General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw important national and international military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities.
Following his elevation to Army Commander rank, Lt Gen Seth led both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers to have commanded two operational Army commands. In these roles, he provided strategic oversight across critical theatres for more than two and a half years.
Apart from field commands, he has held several key appointments at Army Headquarters, particularly in strategic planning and capability development. Widely regarded for his contribution to force modernisation, Lt Gen Seth played an important role in shaping the Army’s long-term capability roadmap, force structure and modernisation trajectory. His efforts have focused on integrating emerging technologies and future battlefield requirements with operational needs.
An accomplished military professional, Lt Gen Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and has also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad understanding of contemporary military affairs and strategic issues.
He will take over the leadership of the Indian Army from General Upendra Dwivedi at a time when the force is pursuing major modernisation initiatives and adapting to evolving security challenges.
