General Dhiraj Seth Appointed as the New Chief of the Indian Army
General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, has been appointed as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, taking over from General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after serving the nation for over four decades. The transition ceremony was conducted at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi, where the outgoing Chief received a Ceremonial Guard of Honour and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. General Seth officially assumed his new role with the rank of General on June 30, 2026, following approval from the President of India.
The Ministry of Defence had earlier announced on June 13, 2026, that Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, then the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), would be succeeding General Dwivedi. General Seth's term as COAS is set to continue until August 31, 2028.
General Dhiraj Seth's career in the Armoured Corps has been distinguished by operational leadership across various terrains, key staff roles, and significant contributions to modernizing the force. Commissioned into the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) on December 20, 1986, he graduated from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He is the third Chief of the Army Staff from the 2nd Lancers and the seventh from the Armoured Corps, the first since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary in 1997.
His extensive command experience includes leading an armoured regiment in the desert sector, the Patiala-based 98 Armoured Brigade, and a division-level Uniform Force in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the counter-insurgency operations. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the XXI Corps (Sudarshan Chakra Corps) from July 2021 to July 2022, and later became General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, before being promoted to Army Commander. Notably, he led two operational commands along the Western Front: South Western Command (November 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) and Southern Command (July 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026).
In addition to his command roles, General Seth has held various impactful staff and institutional positions. These include serving as Brigade Major of an independent armoured brigade, Assistant Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, and Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at South Western Command. He also played crucial roles in perspective planning and capability development with the Strategic Planning Directorate. His international experience includes serving as Operations Officer with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III) in 1995–1996. He has also had instructional roles at the NDA and the School of Armoured Warfare, Ahmednagar.
General Seth's educational credentials are impressive. He attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, where he was named the best all-round student in 2006, the Army War College, Mhow, and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He also completed the General Staff Course at the French Collège interarmées de Défense and the International Defense Acquisition Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, USA, frequently topping his courses and receiving the 'Silver Centurion' in the Young Officers Course.
His outstanding service has been recognized with numerous awards:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2025
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) – 2026 (for leadership as Southern Army Commander)
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – 2022
In addition, he has received multiple commendations from the Chief of the Army Staff and Army Commander, along with various campaign and service medals.
General Seth comes from a prominent military family. His father, Lieutenant General Krishna Mohan Seth, retired as the Adjutant General of the Indian Army in 1997 and had previously commanded XXI Strike Corps and III Corps. His brother, Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. General Seth is married to Mrs. Komal Seth, and they have two daughters. He is an avid sportsman, excelling in tennis and golf.
The appointment of General Dhiraj Seth as COAS highlights the Indian Army's focus on operational experience, technological advancements, and integrated warfighting capabilities. With his extensive background in mechanised formations, command of strike corps, and involvement in capability development, General Seth is poised to lead the Army through transformative initiatives, including the adoption of emerging technologies and maintaining operational readiness along the northern and western borders.
As General Dhiraj Seth steps into the role of Chief of the Army Staff, he continues a tradition of professional excellence, dedicated national service, and a forward-looking perspective on military modernization. The defense community extends its best wishes for his tenure, anticipating significant contributions to India's security and defense capabilities.
