General Dhiraj Seth Takes Over as India's New Chief of Army Staff, Succeeds Gen Upendra Dwivedi

General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday took over as the Army's 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and an Armoured Corps officer, Gen Seth brings with him nearly four decades of distinguished service, marked by extensive command, staff and strategic appointments across diverse operational and institutional domains, according to the Ministry of Defence.At his farewell ceremony, outgoing Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi says, "Today, I am handing over this responsibility to General Dhiraj Seth. He is an experienced soldier and a capable administrator. I have complete confidence that under his leadership, the Indian Army will scale even greater heights while upholding its

proud traditions, professionalism, and commitment.""As I hand over this responsibility today, I am fully confident about the future of the Indian Army. Our Army will remain rooted in its traditions, stay vigilant in the face of present-day challenges, and continue to be prepared for every situation that may arise in the future," he added.

About Gen Dhiraj Seth

General Dhiraj Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades, he has had extensive experience across the operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army's combat effectiveness and long-term transformation.The General Officer has commanded at every level in diverse operational environments. His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & 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, Delhi Area, overseeing key national and international military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities.On elevation to Army Commander, the officer commanded South Western Command and Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands and providing strategic oversight across critical theaters for over a period of two and half years. He has held several key staff and strategic appointments that have significantly influenced operational planning, force management and capability development.Widely recognised for his contributions to force modernisation, the General Officer has tenanted pivotal appointments in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development verticals of the Army Headquarters, shaping its modernisation trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force structuring initiatives. His contributions have been instrumental in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and future battlefield imperatives.An accomplished military professional, he has consistently excelled in professional military education, securing top positions in courses of instruction. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, and has also attended the prestigious Command & Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad strategic outlook and understanding of contemporary military affairs.