Gen Upendra Dwivedi (R) hands over the baton to new Indian Army chief Gen Dhiraj Seth. (Photo: ADGPI)
New Delhi: General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday assumed charge as the 31st chief of the Army staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after completing more than four decades of military service. As India Sentinels reported earlier, Gen Seth was the vice-chief of the Army staff before his elevation as COAS.
An officer of the Armoured Corps commissioned in December 1986, Gen Seth takes over the Army at a time when it is pursuing one of its most ambitious transformation programmes, with a renewed focus on force modernization, indigenous capability development, technology integration and greater operational synergy with the Navy and the Air Force as the country’s military moves towards theaterization.
Widely regarded as an officer with strong operational and strategic credentials, Gen Seth has served in a broad range of command, staff and planning appointments during nearly 40 years in uniform. His experience spans conventional warfare, counterinsurgency operations, capability development and long-term force planning.
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Over the years, he has played a significant role in shaping the Army’s modernization roadmap. Among his important staff assignments were colonel (capability development – mechanized forces) and brigadier (perspective planning and acquisition), appointments that involved long-term capability planning and contributed to the formulation of the Army’s Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Gen Seth has commanded formations across diverse operational environments. He led an Armoured Corps regiment in the desert sector, later commanded an armoured brigade in a developed theatre, and subsequently headed a counterinsurgency force in Jammu & Kashmir.
Following his promotion to lieutenant general, he took command of the Bhopal-based XXI Corps, popularly known as the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Army’s principal strike formations responsible for offensive operations.
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In an uncommon distinction, Gen Seth has commanded two of the Army’s geographical commands. As the general officer commanding in chief of the South Western Command and later the Southern Command, he was responsible for operational readiness, training and force preparedness, while also overseeing efforts to strengthen India’s military posture along the western frontier.
Besides his operational experience, Gen Seth has an impressive academic record. He secured first position in the Junior Command Course and was awarded the Best All-Round Student Officer medal at the Defence Services Staff College. He has also completed the Higher Command Course, the National Defence College course and the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris.
His distinguished service has been recognized through the award of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
Gen Seth assumes office during a period of generational and doctrinal change for the Indian Army. The service is accelerating the induction of next-generation technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence-enabled systems, network-centric capabilities and advanced surveillance platforms, while simultaneously restructuring formations for integrated theatre commands. The Army is also continuing efforts to increase the induction of indigenous equipment under the government’s push for defence self-reliance.
Subject to existing service rules, Gen Seth is expected to remain Army chief until August 31, 2028.
Gen Dwivedi bids farewell
Earlier in the day, Gen Dwivedi paid tribute to the nation’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial here at the national capital. He was subsequently accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the South Block lawns before demitting office.
Gen Dwivedi leaves office after serving the Army for more than 40 years. During his tenure as the Army chief, he emphasized maintaining a high level of operational preparedness while advancing jointness among the three services. He also oversaw initiatives to accelerate military transformation through greater adoption of emerging technologies, force restructuring and soldier-centric reforms.
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Often referred to as the “Drone General” for his emphasis on unmanned systems and technological innovation, Gen Dwivedi consistently advocated the integration of modern battlefield technologies into the Army’s operational doctrine.
In his farewell address to the media, Gen Dwivedi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the service.
“Today, as I complete my tenure as the chief of the Army staff, I feel a sense of deep gratitude, pride and satisfaction,” he said.
He then said that the Army drew its strength not from any individual but from “its soldiers, commanders, veterans, families, and the unshakeable faith of the country’s citizens”, while paying tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
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