New Delhi, June 30 (HS): General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after more than four decades of service in the Indian Army.

General Seth takes over the leadership of the 1.3-million-strong Army at a time when the force is pursuing modernisation, self-reliance and enhanced operational preparedness amid evolving security challenges.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Before assuming charge as Army Chief, he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

During his military career spanning nearly four decades, General Seth has held several key operational, strategic and staff appointments. He commanded the South Western Command and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few officers to have headed two operational Army commands along the western front.

His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army's premier strike formations.

General Seth also served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, and held several important appointments at Army Headquarters, contributing to operational planning, capability development and force modernisation.

Before becoming Vice Chief on April 1, he headed the Pune-based Southern Command, which maintained a high level of operational readiness during Operation Sindoor.

A graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, General Seth also attended the Command and Staff Course in Paris.

General Upendra Dwivedi demitted office on Tuesday after an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the Indian Army.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar