General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, today assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who retired upon superannuation after more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a military career spanning nearly four decades, he has built an extensive operational, strategic and institutional profile, making significant contributions to the Indian Army’s combat capability, force modernisation and long-term transformation.
General Seth has held command appointments at every level across a wide spectrum of operational environments. His field commands include 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, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations, before taking over as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key military, ceremonial and national engagements.
Upon his elevation to the rank of Army Commander, General Seth led both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few senior officers to command two operational Army Commands. During his tenure, he provided strategic oversight across critical theatres for more than two-and-a-half years, contributing to operational preparedness, theatre-level planning and force management.
Throughout his career, General Seth has held several important staff and strategic appointments at Army Headquarters, particularly in the domains of Strategic Planning and Capability Development. Widely recognised for his role in the Army’s modernisation efforts, he played a pivotal role in shaping capability development, force restructuring and long-term modernisation initiatives aimed at preparing the Indian Army for future multi-domain warfare.
His contributions have been instrumental in integrating emerging technologies with operational requirements while strengthening the Army’s long-term capability roadmap in line with evolving security challenges.
A distinguished military professional, General Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course, the National Defence College, and has attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his deep strategic understanding and international military exposure.
As the new Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth assumes leadership of the Indian Army at a time of rapid technological evolution and changing regional security dynamics. His extensive command experience, strategic vision and expertise in capability development are expected to guide the Army’s ongoing transformation, strengthen operational readiness and accelerate modernisation efforts to meet future national security challenges.
