 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 13: The Union Government on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume charge from the afternoon of June 30, 2026, following the retirement of incumbent Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi 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, marked by extensive operational, strategic, and institutional experience across diverse domains of the Indian Army.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Throughout his career, he has held a series of key command, staff, and strategic appointments, contributing significantly to the Army’s operational readiness, capability development, and modernization efforts.
His command assignments have spanned a wide range of operational environments, including leadership of 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 Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s premier strike formations, before serving as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities.
Upon promotion to Army Commander, Lt Gen Seth headed both the South Western Command and Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers to command two operational Army Commands. During his tenure, he provided strategic oversight across critical military theatres for more than two-and-a-half years.
Widely regarded for his role in force modernization, Lt Gen Seth has held several important appointments related to strategic planning and capability development at Army Headquarters. He played a key role in shaping the Army’s modernization roadmap, force structuring initiatives, and integration of emerging technologies to meet future battlefield requirements.
A highly accomplished military professional, Lt Gen Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and has also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad strategic perspective and deep understanding of contemporary military affairs.
With his appointment as the next Army Chief, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is expected to steer the Indian Army through a crucial phase of modernization, capability enhancement, and evolving security challenges. |
