General Dhiraj Seth Takes Charge as Chief of Army Staff

General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026. He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on the same day after four decades of service. His tenure as Chief of the Army Staff is scheduled until 31 August 2028.

Chief of the Army Staff in India

The Chief of the Army Staff is the professional head of the Indian Army and a four-star general officer post. The office functions under the Ministry of Defence and is one of the highest military appointments in India.

Career Profile of General Dhiraj Seth

General Dhiraj Seth is a serving four-star general officer of the Indian Army. He served as the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff from 1 April 2026 before taking over as COAS. He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.

Operational Commands and Service Record

General Seth’s service record spans nearly four decades and includes operational assignments in the Desert Sector and Jammu and Kashmir. He commanded an Armoured Regiment, a Counter-Insurgency Force, the South Western Command, and the Southern Command. He is the first officer from the Armoured Corps to head the Indian Army since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary retired in 1997.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Chief of the Army Staff is the highest-ranking serving officer in the Indian Army.
• The Indian Army uses a four-star rank structure for its top commanders.
• The National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, is a tri-service training institution in Maharashtra.
• The Armoured Corps is a combat arm of the Indian Army that operates tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Exam-Relevant Timeline

General Dhiraj Seth became the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026. His appointment followed his service as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and his earlier command appointments in two operational Army Commands.