🎖️ The Office of Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Army Staff is the professional head of the Indian Army and a four-star general officer post. The office functions under the Ministry of Defence and is one of the highest military appointments in India. The COAS is responsible for the command, discipline, training and administration of the Indian Army.
👤 Career Profile of General Dhiraj Seth
General Dhiraj Seth is a serving four-star general of the Indian Army. He served as the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff from 1 April 2026 before taking over as COAS. He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. Notably, he is the first officer from the Armoured Corps to head the Indian Army since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary retired in 1997.
⚔️ Operational Commands and Service Record
General Seth's service record spans nearly four decades and includes operational assignments in the Desert Sector and Jammu and Kashmir. Over his career he commanded an Armoured Regiment, a Counter-Insurgency Force, the South Western Command and the Southern Command, giving him wide experience across India's strategic theatres.
📌 Key Points (Important Facts for Exams)
- General Dhiraj Seth became the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026.
- He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi; his tenure runs until 31 August 2028.
- He earlier served as the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff (from 1 April 2026).
- Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
- He is the first Armoured Corps officer to head the Army since 1997.
- The COAS is a four-star post and the professional head of the Indian Army.
- The NDA, Khadakwasla is a tri-service training institution in Maharashtra.
🎯 Conclusion
General Dhiraj Seth's appointment as the 31st COAS marks a significant moment, as he becomes the first Armoured Corps officer to lead the Indian Army in nearly three decades. His extensive operational and command experience is expected to shape the Army's modernisation and readiness during his tenure.
📝 Practice MCQs
Test your preparation — click "SHOW ANSWER" to reveal the correct option and explanation.
Q1. General Dhiraj Seth became which numbered Chief of the Army Staff?
(a) 29th (b) 30th (c) 31st (d) 32nd
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026.
Q2. Whom did General Dhiraj Seth succeed as COAS?
(a) General Manoj Pande (b) General Upendra Dwivedi (c) General MM Naravane (d) General Bipin Rawat
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on 30 June 2026.
Q3. On which date did General Seth take charge as COAS?
(a) 1 April 2026 (b) 30 June 2026 (c) 1 July 2026 (d) 31 August 2026
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He assumed charge as COAS on 30 June 2026.
Q4. General Dhiraj Seth was commissioned into which corps?
(a) Infantry (b) Artillery (c) Armoured Corps (d) Corps of Engineers
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
Q5. The Chief of the Army Staff holds which star rank?
(a) Two-star (b) Three-star (c) Four-star (d) Five-star
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Explanation: The COAS is a four-star general officer post.
Q6. Before becoming COAS, General Seth served as which numbered Vice Chief of the Army Staff?
(a) 47th (b) 48th (c) 49th (d) 50th
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He served as the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff from 1 April 2026.
Q7. From which academy did General Seth graduate?
(a) IMA Dehradun (b) OTA Chennai (c) National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (d) Rashtriya Indian Military College
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He graduated from the NDA, Khadakwasla, a tri-service training institution in Maharashtra.
Q8. General Seth is the first officer from the Armoured Corps to head the Army since which year?
(a) 1990 (b) 1997 (c) 2005 (d) 2010
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: He is the first Armoured Corps officer to head the Army since General Shankar Roy Chowdhary retired in 1997.
Q9. Which two operational commands did General Seth lead?
(a) Eastern and Northern (b) South Western and Southern (c) Central and Western (d) Northern and Western
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Explanation: He commanded the South Western Command and the Southern Command.
Q10. Until which date is General Seth's tenure as COAS scheduled?
(a) 30 June 2028 (b) 31 August 2028 (c) 31 December 2027 (d) 1 April 2029
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Explanation: His tenure as Chief of the Army Staff is scheduled until 31 August 2028.