New Delhi, June 30: General Dhiraj Seth formally took charge of the Indian Army on Tuesday, stepping into the role of the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He takes the helm of the 1.3 million-strong force at a crucial time as the military actively reshapes its structures to align with rapid global technology shifts and modern battlefield complexities.
The transition occurred following the retirement of General Upendra Dwivedi, who concluded a highly distinguished military career spanning over 40 years. Prior to his elevation to the top post, General Seth served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, having established a extensive background in strategic planning and capability development at the Army Headquarters.
Defense Ministry officials declared that the new chief’s past administrative work will be crucial in guiding the force’s future path. Ministry representatives affirmed that his strategic planning tenure was instrumental in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and future battlefield imperatives.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over his nearly four decades of service, he achieved the rare professional distinction of leading two distinct operational Army commands along the western front, serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of both the Jaipur-based South Western Command and the Southern Command.
