Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed next Chief of the Army Staff from 30 June 2026
On 13 June 2026, the Government appointed Vice Chief Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of 30 June 2026, when General Upendra Dwivedi retires.
Summary
The Government appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, currently Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff on 13 June 2026, with effect from the afternoon of 30 June 2026. The present Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, retires the same day. Lt Gen Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. He has commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and served as GOC Delhi Area, and as an Army Commander he led both South Western Command and Southern Command. Under Article 53(2) of the Constitution, the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union is vested in the President.
Key facts
- Appointee
- Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff
- Takes over
- Afternoon of 30 June 2026
- Predecessor
- General Upendra Dwivedi (retires 30 June 2026)
- Commission
- Armoured Corps, December 1986; NDA alumnus
- Army Commands led
- South Western Command and Southern Command
- Static link
- Article 53(2): supreme command of Defence Forces vested in the President
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who has been appointed the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from 30 June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth
The Government appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief from the afternoon of 30 June 2026.
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff-designate, was commissioned in December 1986 into which arm?
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Correct answer: D — Armoured Corps
He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
As an Army Commander, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth earned the rare distinction of commanding which two operational Army Commands?
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Correct answer: A — South Western Command and Southern Command
He commanded South Western Command and Southern Command for over two and a half years.
Consider the following statements: 1. Under Article 53(2) of the Constitution, the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union is vested in the President. 2. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth was serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff when appointed the next Army Chief. 3. General Upendra Dwivedi retires on 30 June 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is from Article 53(2). Statements 2 and 3 are in the Ministry of Defence release of 13 June 2026.