Gen Dhiraj Seth takes charge as new Army Chief

Published 30 June 2026 · local

General Dhiraj Seth, an accomplished military officer with the rare distinction of heading two operational Army commands along the western front, took charge as the

General Dhiraj Seth, an accomplished military officer with the rare distinction of heading two operational Army commands along the western front, took charge as the new Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), officials said. Gen Seth assumed the reins of the 1.3 million-strong force at a time when it is forging a path to become a self-reliant and future-ready Army while meeting challenges on the borders. The general officer succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on Tuesday (June 30) after an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the armed forces. Gen Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader with over 40 years of service who retires on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), was accorded a guard of honour as part of a ceremonial farewell held on the lawns of the South Block. — The Hindu (@the_hindu) June 30, 2026 Gen Seth is an alumnus of the Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla.

He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Prior to becoming the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Gen Seth took over as the COAS at a time when the global geo-strategic environment remains dynamic, with challenges in the security domain becoming more pronounced due to technological advancements and the ever-changing character of modern warfare. On his elevation to the rank of an Army Commander, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Command (based in Jaipur) and the Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of commanding two operational commands along the western front, the defence ministry earlier said. During his military career spanning nearly four decades, he has had extensive experience across operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army's combat effectiveness and long-term transformation.

Tenanting pivotal appointments earlier in strategic planning and capability development verticals of the Army Headquarters, he shaped its modernisation trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force structuring initiatives. Prior to his appointment as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on April 1, he headed the Pune-based Southern Command, and under his leadership, the elite command maintained a high degree of operational readiness during the Operation Sindoor last year. In nearly four decades, he built an exceptional operational profile across diverse terrains and conflict environments, including counter-insurgency experience. The general officer has commanded at every level in diverse operational environments. His command assignments included an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu andKashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army's premier strike formations.