New Delhi. General Dhiraj Seth on June 30 assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after more than four decades of service in the Indian Army.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 and brings with him nearly four decades of experience across operational, strategic and capability development domains.
Over the course of his military career, he has held command appointments at every level in diverse operational environments. His assignments have included command of 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 principal strike formations, before going on to serve as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities in the national capital.
Following his elevation to the rank of Army Commander, General Seth led both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers to command two operational Army Commands. During this period, he provided strategic oversight across critical theatres for more than two-and-a-half years.
General Seth has also held several important staff and strategic appointments at Army Headquarters, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and capability development. He is widely regarded for his contribution to the Army’s modernisation efforts, including shaping its long-term force structure, capability roadmap and adoption of emerging technologies for future battlefields.
A distinguished military scholar, the new Army Chief has consistently excelled in professional military education. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and has attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris.
General Seth has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his distinguished service.
