Who's Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth? India's Next Chief Of Army Staff Set To Succeed Gen Upendra Dwivedi

Last Updated:June 13, 2026, 16:04 IST

Lt General Dhiraj Seth will assume charge on June 30 after General Upendra Dwivedi retires.

The Defence Ministry on Saturday announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff. He will assume charge on June 30 following the retirement of the present Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi.

“I am directed to convey the approval of the President to the appointment of Lt General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM as the next Chief of the Army Staff in the substantive rank of General, with effect from 30 (th) June, 2026 vice General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, with a tenure upto 31st August, 2028," read a letter from the Ministry of Defence.

All About Next Army Chief

An Armoured Corps officer commissioned in 1986, Lt Gen Seth is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and brings nearly four decades of military experience to the top post. Over the course of his career, he has held a wide range of operational, command and staff appointments across the Indian Army.

His professional military education includes courses at institutions in India, France and the United States, including the Defence Services Command and General Staff Course in Paris and the National Defence College in New Delhi.

Four Decades Of Military Service

Lt Gen Seth has commanded formations at multiple levels, including an Armoured Regiment, an Armoured Brigade, a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. He later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing several high-profile national and international engagements.

Before being appointed Vice Chief of the Army Staff on April 1 this year, he headed the Pune-based Southern Command. During his tenure there, he led the command during Operation Sindoor and supervised major tri-services exercises along the western frontier.

He has also served in key staff roles, including assignments with the United Nations Mission in Angola and at Army Headquarters, reflecting a career that spans operational and strategic responsibilities.

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