Gen Dhiraj Seth Takes Charge as 31st Army Chief

New Delhi, Jun 30: 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 distinguished service in the Indian Army.

Gen Seth takes command of the 1.3 million-strong force at a crucial juncture as the Army advances its transformation into a self-reliant, technology-driven and future-ready force while addressing evolving security challenges along the country’s borders.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Before his elevation as Army Chief, he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

His appointment comes amid a rapidly evolving global security environment, with modern warfare increasingly shaped by technological advancements and emerging battlefield challenges.

Prior to becoming Vice Chief, Gen Seth headed the Pune-based Southern Command and oversaw a high level of operational readiness during Operation Sindoor last year. Earlier, he commanded both the South Western Command, headquartered in Jaipur, and the Southern Command, becoming one of the few Army officers to have led two operational commands along the western front.

During his nearly four-decade military career, Gen Seth has held a wide range of operational, strategic and capability development assignments, playing a key role in enhancing the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and long-term modernisation.

He has commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir, and the elite Sudarshan Chakra Corps. He also served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing key military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities.

At Army Headquarters, Gen Seth held several important appointments in strategic planning and capability development, contributing significantly to force modernisation, long-term capability planning and integration of emerging technologies into future battlefield preparedness.

A graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, Gen Seth also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his extensive professional military education and strategic expertise. (Agencies)