General Dhiraj Seth Takes Charge as New Army Chief, Set to Lead Force Through Modernisation and Strategic Transformation

New Delhi, June 2026 : General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday assumed charge as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after completing his tenure. With nearly four decades of distinguished military service, General Seth takes over the leadership of the Indian Army at a crucial time marked by evolving security challenges, force modernisation and structural reforms.

An officer from the Armoured Corps, General Seth becomes the first officer from the combat arm to be appointed Army Chief since General Shankar Roychowdhury held the post in 1997. His appointment marks a significant milestone and brings to the Army’s top leadership a blend of extensive operational experience, strategic planning expertise and organisational leadership.

General Seth’s tenure, expected to continue until August 2028, coincides with the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to modernise its capabilities, implement integrated theatre command structures and strengthen operational preparedness along the country’s sensitive borders with China and Pakistan.

A graduate of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Since then, he has served in a wide variety of command, staff and instructional appointments, earning recognition as one of the Army’s most accomplished officers.

Over the course of his career, he has commanded formations at every operational level across diverse terrains and theatres. His command assignments include leading an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, commanding an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre and heading a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, where he gained extensive experience in both conventional and asymmetric warfare.

As a Lieutenant General, General Seth commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s principal strike formations responsible for maintaining offensive capabilities along the western front.

He later served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, where he supervised key military establishments, ceremonial functions and coordinated security arrangements for several national and international events held in the national capital.

Following his elevation as Army Commander, General Seth headed both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the select few senior officers to have commanded two major operational Army Commands. During more than two-and-a-half years in these leadership roles, he oversaw military operations, strategic planning and readiness across some of India’s most critical operational sectors.

Apart from his field commands, General Seth has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Army’s long-term transformation. At Army Headquarters, he served in important appointments within the Strategic Planning and Capability Development branches, contributing significantly to the Army’s modernisation roadmap.

His work focused on integrating emerging technologies into military operations, enhancing combat capabilities and preparing the force for future warfare. He was closely involved in developing long-term capability enhancement plans and restructuring initiatives designed to improve the Army’s operational effectiveness in an increasingly complex security environment.

General Seth is also widely respected for his academic and professional achievements. He has completed the Higher Command Course and is a graduate of the National Defence College, India’s premier institution for strategic studies. In addition, he attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, further broadening his understanding of global military strategy and international security.

His diverse military education, combined with decades of command experience, has equipped him with the strategic vision needed to guide the Army through a period of rapid technological advancement and changing geopolitical dynamics.

In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, General Seth has been awarded several of the country’s highest peacetime military honours, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and other distinguished service awards.

As the new Army Chief, General Dhiraj Seth is expected to steer the Indian Army through a transformative phase, with priorities centred on operational readiness, indigenous capability development, technological innovation and strengthening India’s defence preparedness against emerging regional and global security challenges.