Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Reviews Officer Commissioning Ceremony at OTA Gaya
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, conducted a review of the Winter Term Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, on March 7, 2026. This event marked a significant achievement as 281 officer cadets were officially commissioned into the Indian Army following the completion of their intensive training program.
Among the newly commissioned officers were 253 cadets from the SSC (Tech) Men–64 course and 28 cadets from the SSC (Tech) Women–35 course. The parade was a demonstration of the culmination of rigorous military preparation aimed at transforming young candidates into skilled leaders prepared to serve the nation.
During the ceremony, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth extended his congratulations to the young officers, acknowledging their dedication, perseverance, and commitment which enabled them to successfully complete their training and achieve their ranks in the Indian Army. He praised the cadets for their discipline, resilience, and determination shown throughout the challenging training regimen.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the Army Commander highlighted the fast-evolving nature of modern warfare. He pointed out that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, cyber capabilities, space-based systems, and the electromagnetic spectrum are playing a significant role in reshaping future battlefields. He emphasized that modern conflicts now often require information dominance and multi-domain operations, making warfare increasingly complex and unpredictable.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Seth remarked that the operation showcased the Indian Army’s capability to respond swiftly and accurately while effectively incorporating multi-domain capabilities to maintain operational dominance. He stated that such operations are indicative of the armed forces' professionalism and readiness in addressing emerging security challenges.
The Army Commander also discussed the broader role of the Armed Forces in contributing to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He underlined that in the face of a rapidly changing global and regional security landscape, the armed forces remain a vital component in ensuring national stability, security, and progress.
Encouraging the young officers to gear up for future challenges, Lt Gen Seth urged them to stay intellectually agile, technologically informed, and operationally flexible. He stressed that leadership in uniform requires not only professional skill but also a strong moral compass.
He reminded the officers that genuine military leadership demands moral courage, confidence, compassion, firmness, and humility. Concluding his address, he reiterated the enduring principle of military service — that the safety, honour, and welfare of the country must always be the foremost priority.
