Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth Appointed as Next Chief of the Army Staff from June 30, 2026

New delhi: The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will assume office from the afternoon of June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires from service on the same day.

The appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian Army under one of its most experienced and decorated officers.

Nearly Four Decades of Distinguished Military Service

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a military career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served across operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains.

His leadership experience includes commanding:

• An Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector

• An Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre

• A Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir

• The elite Sudarshan Chakra Corps

• Delhi Area as General Officer Commanding

• South Western Command

• Southern Command

Notably, he earned the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands, providing strategic oversight across key theatres for over two-and-a-half years.

Architect of Modernisation and Capability Development

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is widely recognized for his role in advancing the Indian Army's modernization efforts. He held several important appointments at Army Headquarters, particularly in strategic planning and capability development, helping shape the force's future structure and technology roadmap.

His work has focused on aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and preparing the Army for future battlefield challenges.

Strong Academic and Strategic Credentials

A highly accomplished military professional, Lt Gen Seth has excelled in professional military education throughout his career. He is:

• A graduate of the Higher Command Course

• An alumnus of the National Defence College

• A participant of the prestigious Command & Staff Course in Paris

These achievements reflect his broad strategic outlook and deep understanding of contemporary military affairs.

Leadership Transition in the Indian Army

With extensive experience in command, operations, and force transformation, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is expected to steer the Indian Army through a period marked by technological advancements, evolving security challenges, and continued modernization initiatives.