The Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff. He will take charge from the afternoon of 30 June 2026, according to a statement by the Defence Ministry on Saturday, 13 June.
Lt Gen Seth is currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires from service on the same day.
Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, Lt Gen Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. His military career spans nearly four decades, covering operational, strategic, capability development and institutional roles.
He has commanded formations across different operational environments, including 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 also served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, where he oversaw key military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities.
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After being elevated as Army Commander, Lt Gen Seth commanded both South Western Command and Southern Command.
The Defence Ministry said he earned the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands and providing strategic oversight across critical theatres for over two and a half years.
Lt Gen Seth has also held key staff and strategic appointments at Army Headquarters, especially in strategic planning and capability development.
His work has been linked to the Army’s modernisation roadmap, long-term force structuring and alignment of operational needs with emerging technologies.
He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. He has also attended the Command and Staff Course in Paris.
The appointment comes as the Army continues its focus on modernisation, future battlefield preparedness and capability development.
