NEW DELHI: The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume charge on the afternoon of June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who is set to retire from service on the same day.
Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Seth brings nearly four decades of military experience spanning operational command, strategic planning, force modernisation and institutional leadership. His appointment comes at a time when the Indian Army is continuing its transformation to meet evolving security challenges and future battlefield requirements.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lieutenant General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held a series of important command, staff and instructional appointments, earning recognition for his leadership and professional excellence.
The General Officer has commanded formations at every level across a wide range of operational environments. His command assignments include leading an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he headed the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s principal strike formations.
He later served as the General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key military engagements, ceremonial duties and interactions involving national and international stakeholders.
Upon promotion to Army Commander rank, Lieutenant General Seth took charge of the South Western Command and subsequently the Southern Command. In doing so, he achieved the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands. Over more than two-and-a-half years in these assignments, he provided strategic direction across critical operational theatres and contributed significantly to enhancing military preparedness.
Apart from field commands, Lieutenant General Seth has played a major role in shaping the Army’s long-term capability development and modernisation efforts. During his tenure at Army Headquarters, he held several key appointments related to strategic planning and capability development. His work focused on aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies, strengthening force structures and advancing the Army’s future readiness.
Military observers regard him as one of the key architects behind several initiatives aimed at improving operational effectiveness and accelerating the Army’s transformation agenda. His contributions have helped define capability roadmaps and long-term planning frameworks for the force.
A highly accomplished officer in professional military education, Lieutenant General Seth has consistently secured top positions in various courses of instruction. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, two of the country’s premier institutions for senior military leadership. He has also attended the renowned Command and Staff Course in Paris, further broadening his understanding of global military strategy and contemporary security issues.
With his extensive operational experience, strategic vision and expertise in force development, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is expected to guide the Indian Army through a critical phase of modernisation and preparedness. His appointment reflects the government’s confidence in his ability to lead the force and address emerging security challenges in an increasingly complex strategic environment.
Lieutenant General Seth will formally take over as the nation’s next Army Chief on June 30, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of the Indian Army.
