New Delhi: The government has appointed Lt General Dhiraj Seth, currently the Vice Chief of the Indian Army, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi following his retirement at the end of June.

An officer from the Armoured Corps, Lt Gen Seth will become the first officer from the combat arm to lead the Indian Army since General Shankar Roychowdhury in 1997.

With nearly four decades of service, Lt Gen Seth brings extensive operational and strategic experience across command, staff and modernisation roles. His appointment comes at a time when the Army is focusing on force modernisation, integration of theatre commands, and strengthening operational readiness along the borders with China and Pakistan.

Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy, he has held key command appointments, including leading an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the western theatre, and a counter-insurgency force in Jammu and Kashmir.

As a senior officer, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s premier strike formations, and later served as General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area, overseeing key military and ceremonial responsibilities in the national capital.

He has also led both the South Western Command and Southern Command as Army Commander, making him one of the few officers to have headed two operational commands. In these roles, he oversaw strategic planning and operational readiness across critical military theatres.

Beyond field commands, Lt Gen Seth has held important staff appointments in strategic planning and capability development at Army Headquarters, contributing to the Army’s modernisation roadmap and long-term restructuring efforts.

He has also undergone advanced military education, including the Higher Command Course, the National Defence College, and the Command and Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his strategic expertise and international exposure.

Lt Gen Seth has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and other distinguished service honours for his contribution to national security.

IANS