The Government of India has appointed Lt General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He is set to assume office on June 30, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, Lt General Seth’s tenure will end on August 31, 2028.
“I am directed to convey the approval of the President to the appointment of Lt General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM as the next Chief of the Army Staff in the substantive rank of General, with effect from 30 (th) June, 2026 vice General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, with a tenure upto 31st August, 2028,” the Ministry of Defence said.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
He currently serves as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), a position he assumed the position in April this year.
With 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.
According to the Defence Ministry release, Lt General Seth 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.
After his elevation to the post of Army Commander, the General officer commanded South Western Command and Southern Command. This earned him 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.
The present COAS, General Upendra Dwivedi is retiring from service on June 30.