General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army today, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who superannuated after more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation. The formal change of command ceremony was held at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi, where the outgoing Chief was presented a Ceremonial Guard of Honour before laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. General Seth took over in the substantive rank of General with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026, following the approval of the President of India.
The Ministry of Defence had announced on June 13, 2026, that Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, then serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), would succeed General Dwivedi. General Seth’s tenure as COAS extends until August 31, 2028.
A Distinguished Career Spanning Nearly Four Decades
General Dhiraj Seth is an Armoured Corps officer with a career marked by operational leadership across diverse terrains, strategic staff appointments, and significant contributions to force modernisation and capability development. Commissioned into the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) on December 20, 1986, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He is the third Chief of the Army Staff from the 2nd Lancers and the seventh from the Armoured Corps—the first since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary in 1997.
His command experience is extensive and progressive. He has led an armoured regiment in the desert sector, commanded the Patiala-based 98 Armoured Brigade, and headed a division-level Uniform Force in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the counter-insurgency grid. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the XXI Corps (Sudarshan Chakra Corps), one of the Army’s premier strike formations, from July 2021 to July 2022. He subsequently served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, before being elevated to Army Commander rank. In a rare distinction, he commanded two operational commands along the Western Front: South Western Command (November 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) and Southern Command (July 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026).
His staff and institutional roles have been equally impactful. These include Brigade Major of an independent armoured brigade, Assistant Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at South Western Command, and key positions in perspective planning, capability development, and weapons and equipment at the Strategic Planning Directorate and Army Headquarters. He also served as Director General (Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare) and as Operations Officer with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III) in 1995–1996. Instructional tenures at the NDA and the School of Armoured Warfare, Ahmednagar, further enriched his professional profile.
Educational Qualifications and Professional Development
General Seth is a highly qualified officer. He attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (adjudged the best all-round student of his course in 2006), the Army War College, Mhow, and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He completed the General Staff Course at the French Collège interarmées de Défense and the International Defense Acquisition Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, USA. He stood first in order of merit in several professional courses and was awarded the ‘Silver Centurion’ in the Young Officers Course.
Awards and Decorations
His distinguished service has been recognised with the highest peacetime and operational awards:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2025
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) – 2026 (for leadership as Southern Army Commander)
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – 2022
He has also received multiple Chief of the Army Staff and Army Commander commendations, along with various campaign and service medals.
Family Legacy and Personal Life
General Seth hails from a distinguished military family. His father, Lieutenant General Krishna Mohan Seth, retired as Adjutant General of the Indian Army in 1997 and had earlier commanded XXI Strike Corps and III Corps. His younger brother, Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. General Seth is married to Mrs Komal Seth, and the couple has two daughters. An avid sportsman, he excels in tennis and golf.
Significance of the Succession
The appointment of General Dhiraj Seth underscores the Indian Army’s emphasis on operational experience, technological modernisation, and integrated warfighting capabilities. With his background in mechanised formations, strike corps command, and two Army Commands, combined with deep involvement in capability development and acquisition planning, General Seth is well-positioned to lead the Army through ongoing transformation initiatives, including the integration of emerging technologies, theatreisation efforts, and sustained operational readiness along the northern and western borders.
As he assumes the highest office in the Indian Army, General Dhiraj Seth carries forward a legacy of professional excellence, unwavering commitment to national security, and a forward-looking approach to military modernisation. The entire defence community extends its best wishes for a successful and impactful tenure.
