Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to take over as next Indian Army Chief; Succeeding Gen Upendra Dwivedi

The Centre on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff. He will assume office with effect from June 30.

Post Published By: Rohit Goyal

Updated : 13 June 2026, 4:43 PM IST

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Appointed as Next Chief of the Army Staff

New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff. He will assume office with effect from June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who took over as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff in June 2024.

The appointment marks a key leadership transition in the Indian Army at the highest level.

Nearly Four Decades of Distinguished Service

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is one of the Indian Army’s most experienced Armoured Corps officers, with nearly 40 years of service. He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla.

Over the course of his career, he has held several important operational, command, and strategic appointments across different formations.

Command of Key Operational Formations

Lt Gen Seth has commanded units and formations across a wide operational spectrum, including an armoured regiment and brigade, as well as a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir.

He has also led the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s key strike formations.

Senior Leadership Roles in Commands

In higher command roles, Lt Gen Seth has served as head of both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, where he oversaw major operational responsibilities and strategic planning.

Experienced Leadership for a Critical Role

With extensive field experience and leadership roles across multiple formations, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the Indian Army, as it continues to modernise and strengthen its operational readiness.