The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, the current Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume charge on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, whose tenure concludes on the same date.
The appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), marks a significant leadership transition at the apex of the Indian Army. Lt Gen Seth, a seasoned Armoured Corps officer with nearly four decades of distinguished service, will become the 31st Chief of the Army Staff.
Profile of the Incoming Chief
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is a highly decorated general officer known for his operational acumen, strategic foresight, and extensive command experience across diverse theatres. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) of the Armoured Corps on 20 December 1986 (IC-44044X).
He is the son of Lieutenant General (Retd) Krishna Mohan Seth, who served as Adjutant General of the Indian Army and commanded key strike formations. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth himself serves as the Colonel of the Regiment of the Armoured Corps.
His academic and professional military education is exemplary. He attended the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington (adjudged the best all-round student in 2006), Army War College, Mhow, National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi, the French Collège interarmées de Défense, and the International Defense Acquisition Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, USA. He has consistently excelled in courses, earning the ‘Silver Centurion’ in the Young Officers Course and topping several others.
Decorations and Awards
Lt Gen Seth’s distinguished service has been recognised with the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry and distinguished service awards:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2025
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) – 2026
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – 2022
He has also received multiple commendations from the Chief of the Army Staff and Army Commanders, along with campaign and long-service medals.
Illustrious Command and Staff Career
Lt Gen Seth’s career reflects progressive responsibility across command, staff, and instructional appointments:
- Commanded an Armoured Regiment (1st Horse – Skinner’s Horse) in the desert sector.
- Commanded 98 Armoured Brigade.
- Commanded Uniform Force (a Counter-Insurgency formation) in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Served in key staff roles including Brigade Major of an independent Armoured Brigade, Assistant Military Secretary, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at South Western Command, and Brigadier (Perspective Plans) in the Strategic Planning Directorate.
- Held the appointment of Additional Director General Weapons and Equipment at Army Headquarters.
- On promotion to Lieutenant General (31 January 2021), served as Director General (Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare) at Army HQ.
- General Officer Commanding (GOC), XXI Corps (Sudarshan Chakra Corps) – 31 July 2021 to 31 July 2022.
- GOC, Delhi Area – 1 August 2022 to 31 October 2023 (oversaw major national and international engagements).
- General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), South Western Command – 1 November 2023 to 30 June 2024.
- GOC-in-C, Southern Command – 1 July 2024 to 31 March 2026. During this tenure, he led the command during Operation Sindoor, the decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrating integrated multi-domain operations. He also oversaw key tri-services exercises, including “Trishul”.
- Vice Chief of the Army Staff – Assumed office on 1 April 2026, succeeding Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh.
As VCOAS, he has been responsible for operational preparedness, capability development, modernisation planning, and coordination across all Army commands.
Significance of the Appointment
The elevation of Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to the top post comes at a critical juncture. The Indian Army is undergoing rapid transformation under the “Decade of Reforms,” with emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, integration of emerging technologies (AI, drones, cyber, space), hybrid threat preparedness, and maintaining credible deterrence along the northern and western borders.
His extensive experience commanding strike formations, two operational Army Commands (South Western and Southern), and his current role at Army Headquarters positions him uniquely to lead the force through this phase of technological and doctrinal evolution. His emphasis on “future-ready leadership,” multi-domain operations, and information dominance — articulated during his Southern Command tenure — aligns closely with the Army’s current priorities.
The transition ensures continuity and stability in the higher defence leadership. With Gen Upendra Dwivedi superannuating after a tenure marked by operational focus and reforms, Lt Gen Seth’s appointment is viewed as a natural progression for an officer who has held some of the most critical command and staff appointments in recent years.
Forward Outlook
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will formally assume the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026. As the professional head of the world’s largest volunteer army, he will advise the Government on all matters of national security, oversee the implementation of ongoing modernisation programmes, and guide the force in an increasingly complex security environment.
The Indian Army, under his leadership, is expected to continue its trajectory of becoming a more agile, technology-enabled, and self-reliant force while upholding its core values of “Service Before Self” and unwavering commitment to the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
