Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Appointed Next Army Chief, Replacing Gen Upendra Dwivedi

The central government has appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of Army Staff. He will replace Gen Upendra Dwivedi, whose tenure as Army Chief is set to last until June 2026. Gen Dwivedi assumed the position on June 30, 2024. The term for the Army Chief is three years or until the age of 62, whichever comes first.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, currently serving as Vice Chief of Army Staff, has nearly 40 years of military experience. Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, he has led several key commands in sensitive areas such as Jammu & Kashmir, the western front, and operational commands in the southern and southwestern regions. He has also served in the United Nations Mission in Angola and held various critical positions at Army Headquarters.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and National Defence College, Lt Gen Seth has earned multiple accolades. He topped the Junior Command Course and received the Best All-Round Student Officer Medal at DSSC. For his distinguished service, he has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).

Key Points

• Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed as next Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Gen Upendra Dwivedi.
• Seth currently serves as Vice Chief of Army Staff and has nearly 40 years of military experience.
• Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, he has led commands in sensitive regions.
• An NDA, IMA, DSSC, and National Defence College alumnus, Seth has received multiple honors.
• Gen Upendra Dwivedi's tenure as Army Chief lasts until June 2026.