Our Bureau
New Delhi
General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi at a crucial juncture as the Indian Army accelerates its transformation into a technologically advanced, integrated fighting force equipped for future warfare. He becomes the first officer from the Armoured Corps to lead the Army since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary in 1997, marking a significant milestone in the force’s leadership.
A veteran officer with nearly four decades of distinguished service, General Seth has held several key operational and strategic appointments, including commanding formations along India’s western frontier and steering capability development at Army Headquarters. His appointment comes amid sweeping reforms focused on force modernisation, indigenous defence production, integrated theatre commands and emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence and cyber warfare.
Upon assuming office, General Seth outlined his vision under the acronym “VIJAY”—Vigilance, Innovation, Jointness, Atmanirbharata and Yodha First—emphasising operational readiness, technological integration and soldier welfare. He stressed that the Army would continue evolving into a future-ready force capable of responding effectively to increasingly complex security challenges.
The leadership transition follows General Upendra Dwivedi’s tenure, during which the Army advanced reforms in multi-domain warfare, automation and integrated operational planning. In his farewell address, General Dwivedi underscored that future conflicts would demand greater jointness among the armed forces, a vision expected to be carried forward under General Seth’s leadership.
Defence experts believe General Seth’s extensive operational experience and focus on modernisation will play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s military preparedness amid evolving regional security dynamics and rapidly changing battlefield technologies.
