Lt Gen Dheeraj Seth appointed Vice Chief of Army, new commanders for key commands

• Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth, former commander of the 'Sudarshan Chakra' Corps and known for his anti-terrorism efforts in Kashmir, has been appointed as the Vice Chief of the Indian Army.
• He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, and has nearly four decades of service.
• Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh has taken over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, replacing Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar.
• Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has assumed charge of the Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth.
• Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan is now leading the Eastern Command, replacing the recently retired Lieutenant General RC Tiwari.

Key Questions Answered

How will these changes impact India's defense strategy?

India's defense strategy is evolving to incorporate advanced technologies like swarm drones and robotic capabilities, driven by conflicts in West Asia.

Who are the key figures in the new army leadership?

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth has taken charge as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He assumed the role on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.