Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff, has been appointed as the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with the Indian Army going through a much needed period of transformation as a part of the modernisation drive and a strong operational preparedness along India's borders.
Lt Gen Seth, a decorated officer of the Armoured Corps and having been in service for over 39 years, has experience of operational and tactical planning and modernisation of the force, command leadership, etc.
Career started after NDA Training
Lt Gen Seth, a graduate from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. He has been in operational and staff capacities for nearly four decades and is well-known for conventional warfare and counter-insurgency operations. Operational experience in Key Sectors
Lt Gen Seth has served in some of India's most strategically important operational theatres during his military career.
His experience spans:
- Desert warfare formations. Counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir. High-level operational planning. Joint military leadership assignments.
- He is, in fact, one of the most successful senior officers of the Indian Army.
- Extensive Command Experience
- Lt Gen Seth has commanded military formations at every major level of leadership.
His most important command appointments include:
Commanding an Armoured Regiment in the desert. Commanding an Armoured Brigade in an operational area. He heads the Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir. Commanding the prestigious Sudarshan Chakra Corps. General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, where he took on national and international military responsibilities.
Lt Gen Seth has commanded both the South Western Command and the Southern Command in the Indian Army and is one of the few officers to lead two operational Army Commands on India’s western front.
Key Strategic Appointments
Lt Gen Seth has also held many key staff and strategic appointments which have influenced operational planning and force development.
These include:
- Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Operations Officer with the United Nations Mission in Angola.
- Assistant Military Secretary at Army Headquarters. Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Headquarters South Western Command.
- Director General (Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare).
Such assignments gave him a lot of experience in military administration, international operations and organisational leadership.
Driving Army Modernisation
Lt Gen Seth has also played a very important role in the long-term capability development of the Indian Army.
He has been involved in strategic planning, defence acquisitions and force modernisation activities including the Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) and the wider modernisation programmes that are aimed at enhancing the Army’s operational capabilities.
His work has been around preparing the force for evolving security challenges and future warfare requirements.
Outstanding Military Education
Lt Gen Seth has been so successful in professional military education his whole career.
Among his academic achievements:
Topped the Junior Command Course. Won the Best All-Round Student Officer Medal at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC). Completed the Higher Command Course. Graduated from the National Defence College (NDC). Attended Command and Staff Course in Paris and developed his strategic and international military experience.
Took over as Vice Chief earlier this year
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth came into office as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 April 2026.
His selection as the next Army Chief comes at a time when the Indian Army is in a position to enhance combat readiness, accelerate technological modernisation and tackle emerging security threats along India’s borders.
With more than four decades of operational, strategic and senior management and leadership experience, Lt Gen. Seth is expected to spearhead the Indian Army in its next phase of transformation and the country's military preparedness in an increasingly complex security context.
