General Dhiraj Seth formally assumed charge as the 31st Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 1 July 2025 in New Delhi, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi who retired on Tuesday. Pledging to lead the Indian Army with 'an unwavering commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and Nation First,' Gen Seth outlined a structured five-point agenda under the acronym VIJAY as the cornerstone of his tenure.

Ceremonial Handover and Guard of Honour

Before assuming command, Gen Seth laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. He was subsequently accorded a Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns in a formal ceremony marking the transition of leadership.

In a deeply personal moment that followed, Gen Seth saluted his father, Lieutenant General K.M. Seth (Retd), and was in turn saluted by his brother, Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth — a rare family tableau that underscored the military legacy running through his lineage.

What the New Army Chief Said

'It is a matter of happiness and humility for me to take charge as the 31st Chief of Army Staff. I accept this responsibility with an unwavering commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and Nation First,' Gen Seth told reporters after the ceremony.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for entrusting him with the 'honour and responsibility' of leading the force. He also paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives, saying their 'courage, devotion and selfless dedication will continue to inspire the future generations.'

The VIJAY Framework: Five Priorities for His Tenure

Gen Seth structured his agenda around the word VIJAY, with each letter representing a key focus area:

V — Vigilance and Readiness: Maintaining constant vigil on borders and emerging threats, and sustaining high operational readiness to counter any challenge to national security.

I — Innovation and Transformation: Embedding innovation into doctrine, operational methods, and capability development, while implementing transformations suited to the evolving battlefield.

J — Jointness and Integration: Deepening synergy with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, and advancing a 'whole-of-nation' approach that links military capability with civilian effort toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

A — Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance): Building a self-reliant Army by leveraging indigenous technologies and capabilities, with the stated aim of 'winning our wars using indigenous solutions.'

Y — Yodha First: Prioritising the welfare, training, and technological empowerment of every soldier — 'from the youngest Agniveer to the most senior veteran' — alongside the welfare of veterans and Veer Naris.

Connecting VIJAY to the JAI Doctrine

Gen Seth explicitly linked his VIJAY framework to the JAI doctrine — standing for Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation — articulated by Prime Minister Modi as a guiding mantra for the armed forces. 'JAI Se VIJAY. Jai Hind,' he concluded, framing his agenda as a direct extension of the national defence vision rather than a departure from it.

Notably, this is the first leadership transition for the Indian Army since the force began implementing multi-domain operational frameworks and deepening its Agnipath integration — giving Gen Seth's emphasis on 'Yodha First' and technological thresholds particular relevance.

What Comes Next

Gen Seth also acknowledged his predecessor, General Upendra Dwivedi (Retd), saying his 'vision and leadership have shaped the Indian Army into a strong, robust, and reliable force.' He assured citizens that the Indian Army is 'fully prepared, and will always remain so, to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of the nation.' The new Army Chief is expected to outline operational and procurement priorities in the weeks ahead as he consolidates command.