Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth calls on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Synopsis
Days after taking charge as India's 31st Army Chief, General Dhiraj Seth called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan — signalling continuity of constitutional protocol while publicly unveiling his 'VIJAY' doctrine, a five-pillar transformation blueprint that puts vigilance, innovation, and Atmanirbharta at the heart of the Indian Army's next decade.
Key Takeaways
General Dhiraj Seth , the 31st Chief of the Army Staff , called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 7 July 2025 .
Seth assumed command of the Indian Army on 1 July 2025 , pledging commitment to 'duty, honour and Nation First'.
His strategic vision is encapsulated in the acronym VIJAY : Vigilance, Innovation, Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Yodha First.
General Seth met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier in July to outline his plans for the force.
He called for building a technology-enabled, multi-domain Army capable of responding to an evolving security environment.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, accompanied by his spouse Komal Seth, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 7 July 2025, according to an official statement. The courtesy call follows General Seth's assumption of charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 1 July 2025.
General Seth's Vision for the Army
Upon taking command, General Seth pledged to lead the Indian Army with 'an unwavering commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and Nation First.' He has framed his tenure around what he calls a 'Decade of Transformation', outlining priorities through the acronym VIJAY.
Each letter of VIJAY maps to a specific pillar: V for Vigilance, I for Innovation, J for Jointness and Integration, A for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Y for Yodha First — centred on the training and welfare of personnel.
Key Priorities: Modernisation and Operational Readiness
'The Indian Army is a combat-ready and battle-hardened force, fully prepared and capable of meeting every challenge in the operational domain,' General Seth said. He stressed the need to advance Army modernisation 'with renewed energy and firm resolve' in response to an evolving security environment.
'We aim to build a technology-enabled, future-ready Army which is fully empowered and capable of operating across multiple domains,' he added. The emphasis on multi-domain capability signals a broader shift in India's military posture toward integrated, technology-driven warfare.
Meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Earlier in July, General Seth met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during which he outlined his plans for the force. The meeting underscored the new COAS's intent to align Army priorities with the Centre's broader defence modernisation agenda, including indigenous procurement and jointness with the other services.
Significance of the Rashtrapati Bhavan Call
Courtesy calls on the President by newly appointed service chiefs are a constitutional convention, reflecting the President's role as the Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces. General Seth's visit, alongside his spouse, follows the established protocol observed by his predecessors. This comes amid heightened focus on India's northern and western borders, lending added weight to the new Army chief's public articulation of vigilance and readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth call on President Droupadi Murmu?
General Seth paid a courtesy call on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan following his appointment as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 1 July 2025. Such calls are a constitutional convention, as the President serves as the Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces.
When did General Dhiraj Seth become the Chief of the Army Staff?
General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 1 July 2025. He succeeded his predecessor and is the latest in a line of senior Army commanders to lead India's land forces.
What is the 'VIJAY' doctrine outlined by General Seth?
VIJAY is an acronym representing General Seth's five key priorities: Vigilance (border readiness), Innovation (technology integration), Jointness and Integration (inter-service cooperation), Atmanirbharta (indigenous self-reliance), and Yodha First (soldier welfare and training). He described it as central to his 'Decade of Transformation' vision.
What did General Seth say about the Indian Army's operational readiness?
General Seth stated that the Indian Army is 'a combat-ready and battle-hardened force, fully prepared and capable of meeting every challenge in the operational domain.' He called for accelerated modernisation to respond to the evolving security environment.
Did General Seth meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh?
Yes, General Seth met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier in July 2025, where he outlined his plans for the force, including the push for modernisation and multi-domain operational capability.
