Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 13: The Centre on Saturday announced the appointment of Dhiraj Seth as the next chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding Upendra Dwivedi upon his retirement later this month.
Currently serving as the vice chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will assume command of the Indian Army on June 30, 2026. General Upendra Dwivedi is scheduled to retire from service on the same day after completing his tenure as Army chief.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 and has served the Indian Army for nearly four decades.
Throughout his distinguished military career, he has held a wide range of command, operational and strategic appointments, earning recognition for his role in strengthening the Army’s combat capabilities and advancing its long-term transformation agenda.
His field experience spans multiple operational environments. He has commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, led an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre and headed a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir.
At the rank of Lieutenant General, Seth commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s key strike formations tasked with maintaining operational readiness along critical fronts. He also served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he supervised military coordination, ceremonial duties and high-level national and international engagements.
One of the notable aspects of his career has been the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands, providing strategic leadership across crucial theatres for more than two and a half years.
Over the years, Lt Gen Seth has played an important role in operational planning, force management and military capability development. He is widely credited with contributing to the Indian Army’s modernisation efforts, including long-term force structuring, technological upgrades and future capability planning.
Known for his academic excellence, he secured top positions in several professional military courses during his career. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, enhancing his expertise in strategic and contemporary military affairs.
With extensive experience across operational, institutional and strategic domains, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is expected to steer the Indian Army through a period of evolving security challenges while continuing ongoing modernisation and capability enhancement initiatives.