Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Appointed Next Chief of Army Staff

New Delhi, June 2026: The government on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), marking the culmination of a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades. Lt Gen Seth, who is currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, will take over as the Army chief on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires from service the same day.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over the years, he has built an impressive record of operational leadership, strategic planning and institutional development, emerging as one of the Indian Army’s most experienced senior officers.

Throughout his career, Lt Gen Seth has held a variety of command and staff appointments across diverse operational environments. His field experience includes commanding an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, leading an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, and heading a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. These assignments provided him with extensive exposure to conventional military operations as well as internal security challenges.

As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s key strike formations responsible for maintaining operational readiness in critical sectors. He also served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Delhi Area, where he oversaw important military engagements, ceremonial duties and coordination of national and international defence events.

One of the defining features of Lt Gen Seth’s career has been his rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands, a responsibility that placed him at the centre of strategic military planning and oversight across crucial theatres. Over a period of more than two and a half years, he played a significant role in shaping operational preparedness and ensuring effective command of vital military formations.

In addition to his field commands, Lt Gen Seth has held several key appointments that contributed to force management, capability development and long-term military planning. He is widely regarded as a strong advocate of modernisation within the Army and has been closely associated with initiatives aimed at enhancing combat effectiveness, technological integration and future force structuring.

Military circles recognise him for his contribution to shaping the Army’s modernisation roadmap and strengthening its readiness to address emerging security challenges. His experience across operational, strategic and institutional domains is expected to be a major asset as the Army continues its transformation efforts in an evolving security environment.

Academically accomplished, Lt Gen Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education. He completed the prestigious Higher Command Course and is also a graduate of the National Defence College, one of the country’s premier institutions for strategic studies and national security leadership.

Further enhancing his international military exposure, he attended the renowned Command and Staff Course in Paris, gaining valuable insights into global defence practices and contemporary military affairs. His educational achievements, coupled with extensive operational experience, have earned him a reputation as a well-rounded military strategist.

With his appointment as the next Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is set to lead the Indian Army at a crucial time, guiding its operational preparedness, modernisation initiatives and strategic vision in an increasingly complex regional and global security landscape.

Team Maverick.