Agencies | New Delhi:
The Government of India on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume office on the afternoon of June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who is scheduled to retire from service on the same day.
Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Seth brings with him nearly four decades of distinguished military service, with extensive experience across operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held several significant command and staff appointments in diverse 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 commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps and later served as General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area.
Upon his elevation to Army Commander, Lt Gen Seth headed both the South Western Command and Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers in recent years to command two operational Army Commands. In these roles, he provided strategic leadership across critical theatres and played a key role in enhancing operational readiness.
Widely recognised for his contributions to military modernisation, Lt Gen Seth has also served in important appointments related to strategic planning and capability development at Army Headquarters. His efforts have significantly influenced the Army’s long-term modernisation roadmap, force restructuring initiatives and the integration of emerging technologies.
A highly accomplished military professional, Lt Gen Seth is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. He also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad exposure to contemporary military strategy and international defence affairs.
With his appointment as the next Army Chief, Lt Gen Seth is expected to steer the Indian Army through a crucial phase of transformation, modernisation and evolving security challenges.
