Indian Army Gets New Chief: General Dhiraj Seth Takes Command After General Upendra Dwivedi's Retirement

The Indian Army has entered a new chapter with General Dhiraj Seth assuming charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired after more than four decades of distinguished military service. The change in leadership took place at the South Block in New Delhi, where General Dwivedi received a ceremonial Guard of Honour before formally handing over command.

Before becoming Army Chief, General Dhiraj Seth served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff and previously commanded the Southern Command and South Western Command, giving him extensive operational and strategic experience. He is also the first officer from the Armoured Corps to become Army Chief since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary in 1997.

In his farewell address, General Upendra Dwivedi reflected on his four-decade military career, calling service in the Indian Army the greatest privilege of his life. He emphasized that future conflicts will be joint, integrated, and theatre-oriented, requiring seamless coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He also expressed confidence that the Army would continue to modernise and strengthen under General Seth's leadership.

General Dhiraj Seth takes charge at a crucial time as India continues to strengthen its military capabilities amid evolving security challenges along the northern and western borders. His priorities are expected to include military modernisation, indigenous defence technologies, integrated theatre commands, and enhanced operational readiness. Defence experts believe his leadership will further accelerate the Indian Army's transformation into a technology-driven force capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare.