Lt General Dhiraj Seth appointed as next Army chief, to assume office on June 30

New Delhi, June 13: The government on Saturday appointed Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff, with the senior officer set to assume charge on June 30, 2026.

According to an official statement, the President has approved his appointment as the Chief of the Army Staff in the substantive rank of General, following the retirement of present Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi, who demits office on June 30.

Lt Gen Seth is currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), a post he took over in April 2026. His tenure as Army Chief will continue till August 31, 2028.

The Defence Ministry said his appointment will come into effect from June 30, 2026, marking a formal transition of leadership in the Indian Army.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 and has held several key command and staff appointments during his military career.

The announcement comes ahead of the retirement of the current Army Chief, ensuring a smooth succession at the top of the Army hierarchy.