General Dhiraj Seth took charge as the 31st Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 1 July 2025 and immediately unveiled his strategic framework — the acronym 'VIJAY' — as the cornerstone of his tenure. Speaking at South Block in New Delhi after being accorded a Guard of Honour, Seth said the framework aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guiding mantra for the armed forces, 'JAI' — standing for Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation.

The VIJAY Framework: Five Pillars Explained

Each letter of VIJAY maps to a distinct operational priority that Seth has committed to pursuing during his tenure as Army Chief.

'V' stands for Vigilance and Readiness. Seth stated the Army will maintain constant vigilance along India's borders and against emerging threats, while sustaining a high level of operational readiness to counter any challenge to national security.

'I' represents Innovation and Transformation. According to Seth, innovation will be 'an integral part of our mindset, operational methods, and capability development,' with necessary doctrinal and technological transformations implemented to adapt to an evolving battlefield.

'J' denotes Jointness and Integration. Seth emphasised complete coordination and alignment with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, adding that national security 'is not limited to military might alone but encompasses a collective effort involving military-civil fusion and a whole-of-nation approach.' He linked this integrated posture to the broader national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

'A' is for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). Seth said the Army's overarching aim will be to 'win our wars using indigenous solutions,' leveraging domestically developed capabilities and technologies.

'Y' stands for Yodha First. Seth described every soldier — 'from the youngest Agniveer to the most senior veteran' — as a 'Yodha' (warrior) and the Army's greatest strength. He pledged that strengthening technological thresholds and training standards would be his top priority, and affirmed that veterans and Veer Naris would receive sustained welfare and professional support.

The Transition of Command

Seth succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi (Retd), who retired on Tuesday, 30 June 2025. In his address, Seth paid tribute to all former Army Chiefs, specifically acknowledging Dwivedi's 'vision and leadership' in shaping the Indian Army into what he called 'a strong, robust, and reliable force.'

He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for entrusting him with the 'honour and responsibility' of leading the force, and paid homage to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.

Drawing Inspiration from the Decade of Transformation

Seth said his priorities were drawn in part from the guidance provided by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh under the framework called the 'Decade of Transformation' — a broader institutional push to modernise India's defence architecture. He described the Indian Army as a 'combat-ready and battle-hardened force' that is 'prepared and capable of embracing the necessary technologies.'

Notably, the VIJAY framework's pillars — particularly Jointness and Atmanirbharta — mirror the priorities already embedded in PM Modi's JAI framework, signalling continuity of strategic direction even as leadership changes at the top. As Seth put it: 'JAI Se VIJAY tak' — from the call of victory to victory itself.

What to Watch Under the New Army Chief

With border security remaining a live concern — particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — and the indigenisation of defence procurement gaining momentum, Seth's tenure will be closely watched on both fronts. His emphasis on the Agniveer programme and veteran welfare also signals that internal force management will be as central to his agenda as external readiness. The Army's next steps on joint theatre commands and defence technology partnerships are expected to be key early indicators of how VIJAY translates from vision to action.