General Dhiraj Seth Assumes Charge as 31st Chief of the Army Staff

New Delhi: On Tuesday, General Dhiraj Seth had officially taken charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who was retired after a distinguished career spanning more than four decades. As the Indian Army intensifies its focus on self-reliance, modernization, and navigating evolving security challenges across its borders, General Seth now assumes leadership of the roughly 1.3 million strong force during a critical transition period.

How was his military career?

He is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. On December 1986, he was commissioned into the Armored Corps. He has established an extensive operational profile across diverse terrains and conflict zones, over his career of nearly 40 years. His involvements in the army experience also includes counter-insurgency environments. Before his elevation as an Army Chief, he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff in Indian Army. He also holds the rare distinction of having commanded two operational Army commands along the western front. These are the Jaipur-based South Western Command and the Pune-based Southern Command. Under his leadership, the Southern Command maintained peak operational readiness during Operation Sindoor last year.

How was his leadership?

General Seth’s command experience spans broad level of the military hierarchy. His key assignments include, an Armored Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army's premier strike formations.

How about GOC in Delhi Area?

Beyond his field commands, General Seth had been held pivotal staff and strategic appointments at Army Headquarters. He instrumentalized long-term force structuring, capability roadmaps, and modernization trajectories. The Defense Ministry emphasized his role in successfully aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and modern battlefield imperatives.

What was the global strategic outlook?

General Seth was recognized for his academic excellence in professional military education. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defense College. He also attended the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris that bring a broad global perspective to contemporary military affairs. His transition to COAS comes at a time when technological advancements and the shifting character of warfare continue to redefine the global geo-strategic environment.