New Delhi, 13 June (H.S.): The Central Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he will assume command on June 30 following the retirement of the incumbent Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, later that afternoon.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. During a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades, he has gained extensive experience across operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the enhancement of the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness. He has held command appointments at every level in diverse operational environments.

His command responsibilities have included leading 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 Indian Army’s premier strike formations.

He subsequently served as General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, where he oversaw several important national and international military engagements as well as ceremonial responsibilities. Upon his elevation to the rank of Army Commander, he took charge of both the South Western Command and the Southern Command. He holds the rare distinction of having commanded two operational Army Commands and providing strategic oversight across critical theatres for more than two and a half years.

Lieutenant General Seth has also served in several key staff and strategic appointments that have had a significant impact on operational planning, force management and capability development. Widely recognised for his contributions to the Army’s modernisation efforts, he has held important positions within the strategic planning and capability development divisions at Army Headquarters. In these roles, he played a vital part in shaping the Army’s modernisation trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force structuring initiatives.

His contribution has been particularly significant in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and the evolving demands of future battlefields. His efforts have helped strengthen the Army’s preparedness for contemporary and emerging security challenges.

An accomplished military professional, Lieutenant General Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education and secured top positions in various training courses. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. He has also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad strategic outlook and deep understanding of contemporary military affairs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar