Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed next Army Chief, to assume charge on Jun 30

New Delhi, Jun 13: The government of India (GOI) has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026, officials said on Saturday.
The incumbent Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, will retire from service the same day.
Lt Gen Seth, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he has commanded an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Defence said.
As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, a premier strike formation, and subsequently served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. He has also commanded the South Western Command and the Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of leading two operational Army Commands for over two-and-a-half years.
The General Officer has held key staff and strategic appointments in the Army Headquarters, significantly contributing to operational planning, force management, and capability development. His efforts have been instrumental in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies, the Army said.
Lt Gen Seth is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course, the National Defence College, and the Command & Staff Course in Paris. (KNS)