Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth named next Army Chief, first Armoured Corps officer since 1997
Synopsis
For the first time since 1997, an Armoured Corps officer will lead the Indian Army. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth — vice chief, two-command veteran, and architect of the Army's modernisation roadmap — takes charge at a moment when theatre commands, border preparedness, and indigenisation are all in flux. His appointment is as much a signal about the Army's future direction as it is a routine succession.
Key Takeaways
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth has been appointed the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) , succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi in late June 2025 .
He will be the first Armoured Corps officer to head the Indian Army since General Shankar Roychowdhury in 1997 .
Commissioned in December 1986 , Seth has nearly four decades of service across command, staff, and strategic roles.
He is one of few officers to have commanded two operational Army Commands — the South Western Command and the Southern Command .
His tenure as COAS is expected to run until August 2028 , covering a critical phase of force modernisation and integrated theatre command roll-out.
He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his contributions to national security.
Lt General Dhiraj Seth, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, has been appointed by the government as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi upon his retirement at the end of June 2025. The appointment marks a historic milestone — Seth will be the first officer from the Armoured Corps combat branch to head the Indian Army since General Shankar Roychowdhury in 1997.
A Career Built Across Every Level of Command
Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Seth brings nearly four decades of military service spanning operational, strategic, and institutional roles. His field command record is extensive: he commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir.
At the Lt General level, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps — one of the Army's premier strike formations — before serving as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing military coordination for national and international events in the capital.
Two Operational Army Commands — A Rare Distinction
Upon promotion to Army Commander, Seth headed both the South Western Command and the Southern Command, making him one of a small number of officers to have led two separate operational Army Commands. His combined tenure across these roles exceeded two and a half years, providing strategic oversight across some of India's most sensitive military theatres.
The Modernisation Mandate
Beyond field command, Lt Gen Seth has held senior positions within the Strategic Planning and Capability Development branches at Army Headquarters, where he helped shape the Army's modernisation roadmap, long-term force restructuring plans, and capability enhancement frameworks. He is widely credited with aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and the demands of future warfare.
His academic credentials reflect the same breadth: a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College, he also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and other distinguished service honours.
What His Tenure Will Focus On
Seth's tenure as COAS is expected to run until August 2028, a period the Army has identified as critical for force modernisation, the roll-out of integrated theatre command structures, and sharpened operational preparedness along the borders with China and Pakistan. This comes amid an accelerating push to reduce import dependence and indigenise defence procurement — a priority that his background in capability development positions him to advance. The transition of command at the top of the Army will be closely watched by both strategic planners and India's adversaries.
Point of View
High-intensity warfighting capability at a time when the China border remains unresolved and theatre commands demand officers comfortable with combined-arms doctrine. Seth's dual Army Command experience and his deep involvement in capability development make him an unusually well-rounded pick. The harder question is whether his tenure will finally move integrated theatre commands from concept to operational reality — a reform that has stalled under successive chiefs despite political backing.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth?
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is the current Vice Chief of the Army Staff and the government-appointed next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, he brings nearly four decades of operational and strategic experience, including command of two separate Army Commands.
When will Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth take over as Army Chief?
Lt Gen Seth is set to take charge as COAS at the end of June 2025, when General Upendra Dwivedi retires. His tenure is expected to continue until August 2028.
Why is Lt Gen Seth's appointment historically significant?
He will be the first officer from the Armoured Corps combat branch to lead the Indian Army since General Shankar Roychowdhury in 1997 — a gap of 28 years. The Armoured Corps is a frontline combat arm, and the appointment is seen as a signal of the Army's conventional warfighting priorities.
What commands has Lt Gen Seth previously held?
He commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army's premier strike formations, followed by the South Western Command and the Southern Command — making him one of a small number of officers to have led two operational Army Commands. He also served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.
What are the key priorities for the new Army Chief?
Lt Gen Seth's tenure will focus on advancing force modernisation, implementing integrated theatre command structures, and strengthening operational preparedness along India's borders with China and Pakistan. His background in strategic planning and capability development is expected to shape these efforts directly.
