New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), clearing his elevation to the Indian Army’s top post with effect from June 30.
Lt Gen Seth, who is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi, whose tenure ends on June 30. With the appointment, Lt Gen Seth will become the 31st Chief of the Army Staff.
The Ministry of Defence said the appointment will take effect from the afternoon of June 30, the day General Dwivedi retires from service.
Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, Lt Gen Seth brings nearly four decades of military experience across operational, strategic and capability-development roles. During his career, he has commanded military formations at every level and served in a range of operational environments.
His key command assignments include leading 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 later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing important military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities in the national capital. As an Army Commander, he headed both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, earning the distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands.
Lt Gen Seth has also held several important appointments at Army Headquarters, particularly in strategic planning and capability development. Defence officials credit him with contributing to force modernisation initiatives and long-term military planning, including efforts to align operational requirements with emerging technologies.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Seth has undergone advanced military training in India and abroad. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and has attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris.
He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for distinguished service to the nation.
As Army Chief, Lt Gen Seth will be responsible for overseeing the operational readiness of the Indian Army, guiding force modernisation and advising the government on defence and national security matters.
For more coverage on defence, national affairs and Madhya Pradesh politics, read updates on https://visionmp.com/
