New Delhi
In a significant leadership transition in the Indian Army, the Government of India has appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume charge on June 30, 2026, succeeding Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who retires the same day after completing his tenure.
A second-generation Armoured Corps officer and alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned in December 1986. His nearly four-decade career exemplifies operational depth, strategic acumen, and a steadfast commitment to the Army’s modernisation drive. As the first officer from the Armoured Corps to rise to the top position in almost three decades, his appointment carries particular resonance, reviving a legacy last seen in his father’s generation.
Lt Gen Seth’s command profile spans diverse operational theatres. He has led an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, commanded an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and headed a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s premier strike formations, before serving as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he managed critical national and international military engagements.
Elevated to Army Commander rank, he achieved the rare distinction of commanding two major operational formations, South Western Command and Southern Command, providing strategic oversight across vital sectors along the Western frontier. In his staff assignments at Army Headquarters, particularly in strategic planning and capability development verticals, he played a key role in shaping the Army’s long-term modernisation roadmap, force structuring, and integration of emerging technologies with operational requirements.
Defence analysts note that Lt Gen Seth assumes the role at a time of heightened border sensitivities. His extensive experience in mechanised operations, jointmanship, and institutional leadership is expected to strengthen the Army’s combat readiness and transformation initiatives. He is set to serve until August 2028.
Widely respected for his professionalism and mentorship, Lt Gen Seth has also excelled in professional military education, including the Higher Command Course, National Defence College, and the Command & Staff Course in Paris. His appointment underscores the Indian Army’s emphasis on merit, operational experience, and continuity in leadership.
The seamless handover from Gen Dwivedi ensures continuity in ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing the Army’s agility and technological edge in a complex security environment. Veterans and serving personnel alike have welcomed the choice, viewing it as a strong signal of the force’s forward-looking orientation.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
