New Delhi, June 30: General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, on Monday assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who retired after completing more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation. General Seth takes over the leadership of the Indian Army at a crucial juncture, as the force continues its comprehensive modernisation drive, enhances operational preparedness along India’s northern and western frontiers, and accelerates the integration of advanced technologies to meet evolving security challenges.
A highly decorated Armoured Corps officer with nearly 40 years of military service, General Seth brings extensive operational, strategic and organisational experience to the country’s highest military appointment. Defence officials said his long association with capability development and force modernisation is expected to play a key role in shaping the Army’s future transformation.
Distinguished Military Career
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, General Dhiraj Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Throughout his distinguished military career, he has served in some of the Indian Army’s most challenging operational environments while holding several critical command, staff and strategic appointments.
His career spans conventional warfare, counter-insurgency operations, strategic planning, force development and military diplomacy, making him one of the Army’s most experienced senior commanders.
Commanded Across Diverse Operational Theatres
General Seth has commanded military formations at every level of leadership. His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, where he gained extensive operational experience in combating terrorism and maintaining internal security.
As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations responsible for offensive operations in the western sector. He later served as General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, where he oversaw military security, ceremonial duties and coordination for major national and international events held in the national capital.
Rare Distinction of Commanding Two Army Commands
Upon promotion to the rank of Army Commander, General Seth achieved the rare distinction of commanding both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, two of the Indian Army’s major operational commands. Over a period of more than two-and-a-half years, he provided strategic oversight across vast operational theatres while supervising combat readiness, force deployment, training and operational planning.
His experience across multiple theatres has given him an in-depth understanding of India’s evolving security environment, ranging from conventional military challenges to hybrid warfare and emerging technological threats.
Key Role in Army Modernisation
General Seth is widely recognised within the defence establishment for his significant contributions to the Indian Army’s modernisation and capability development programmes. During his tenure at Army Headquarters, he held several important appointments in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development divisions, where he played a crucial role in shaping the Army’s long-term transformation roadmap.
Officials credit him with helping align future force structures with emerging battlefield technologies, including network-centric warfare, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, precision-guided weapons, integrated surveillance capabilities and advanced battlefield management systems.
His expertise is expected to further accelerate the Army’s efforts under the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting indigenous defence technologies and enhancing operational self-reliance.
Strong Academic and Professional Credentials
Apart from his extensive operational experience, General Seth has maintained an outstanding academic record throughout his military career. He secured top positions in several professional military courses and is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the prestigious National Defence College (NDC).
He has also attended the internationally renowned Command and Staff Course in Paris, providing him with valuable exposure to global military doctrines, strategic thinking and multinational defence cooperation.
Leadership at a Critical Time
General Seth assumes office at a time when the Indian Army continues to maintain a high level of operational readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. Simultaneously, the Army is undertaking one of its most ambitious transformation programmes focused on modernisation, theatre integration, digitisation, indigenous procurement and future warfare capabilities.
His experience in operational command, strategic planning and force development is expected to guide the Army through this important phase of military transformation.
Continuing the Army’s Transformation Journey
With General Dhiraj Seth assuming command as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, the Indian Army enters a new chapter focused on strengthening combat capability, accelerating technological modernisation and enhancing jointness among the armed forces. Defence observers believe his balanced experience in operational leadership, strategic planning and institutional reforms positions him well to lead the Army as it prepares for the increasingly complex security challenges of the future.