Lt. General Dhiraj Seth appointed as next Chief of Army Staff
The Centre on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), marking a key transition in the leadership of the Indian Army. Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Seth will assume office on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires from service on the same day. The appointment was announced by the Ministry of Defence.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a senior Armoured Corps officer, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1986. Over a military career spanning nearly four decades, he has held a wide range of command, staff and strategic appointments across diverse operational environments, including armoured formations, counter-insurgency operations and major strike formations.
Lt Gen Seth has commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, served as General Officer Commanding of the Delhi Area, and led both the South Western and Southern Commands, a distinction held by only a handful of officers. He took over as Vice Chief of the Army Staff in April 2026 and is widely regarded for his contributions to force modernisation, capability development and long-term military planning.
With extensive operational and strategic experience, Lt Gen Seth is set to lead the Indian Army at a time of evolving security challenges and ongoing efforts to modernise the force. His appointment ensures continuity in the Army’s leadership as it pursues technological transformation and enhanced combat preparedness.
