- From Battlefield Command to Army Headquarters: Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to Lead the Indian Army
New Delhi. 13 June 2026. In a significant leadership transition for the Indian Army, the Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026. He will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who retires from service on the same day after an illustrious career. With nearly four decades of distinguished service spanning operational command, strategic planning, force modernisation and capability development, Lt Gen Seth brings to the top military appointment a wealth of experience across diverse theatres and domains of military leadership.
The Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026. He succeeds General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who retires from service the same day.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a military career spanning nearly four decades, he has accumulated extensive experience in operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and long-term transformation.
Lt Gen Seth has commanded at every level in varied operational environments. His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir.
As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations. He later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing key national and international military engagements as well as ceremonial responsibilities.
Upon elevation to Army Commander, Lt Gen Seth headed both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands. In these roles, he provided strategic oversight across critical theatres for over two and a half years.
Widely recognised for his contributions to force modernisation, Lt Gen Seth has held several pivotal appointments in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development verticals at Army Headquarters.
His work has played a significant role in shaping the Indian Army’s modernisation trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force structuring initiatives. His contributions have been instrumental in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and future battlefield imperatives.
Over the course of his career, he has also held key staff and strategic appointments that have influenced operational planning, force management and capability development across the Army.
An accomplished military professional, Lt Gen Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education, securing top positions in various courses of instruction.
He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. Further enriching his strategic perspective, he attended the prestigious Command & Staff Course in Paris, reflecting a broad understanding of contemporary military affairs and global security challenges.
The appointment of Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff comes at a crucial juncture as the Indian Army continues its transformation to meet emerging security challenges and future warfare requirements. Combining extensive operational experience with deep expertise in strategic planning and force modernisation, Lt Gen Seth brings a balanced blend of battlefield leadership and institutional vision to the Army’s highest office. As he takes over the reins from General Upendra Dwivedi on June 30, 2026, the Indian Army enters a new chapter under a leader whose career has been defined by operational excellence, professional scholarship and a steadfast commitment to capability development in an evolving security environment.
