Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed as Chief of the Army Staff w.e.f. June 30, 2026

📌 Summary:

• Government appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, presently Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) with effect from the afternoon of 30 June 2026
• He succeeds Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who retires the same day
• An NDA Khadakwasla alumnus, commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986; nearly four decades of service
• Commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps (strike formation), South Western Command and Southern Command; held key Strategic Planning and Capability Development roles
• Graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Incoming COAS: Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth (PVSM, UYSM, AVSM); effective 30 June 2026
• Outgoing COAS: Gen Upendra Dwivedi
• Commissioned into the Armoured Corps (Dec 1986); alumnus of NDA, Khadakwasla

🔑 Key Term: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) — the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army, a four-star General.