General Dhiraj Seth Takes Charge as Army Chief: Unveils 'VIJAY' Vision

General Dhiraj Seth on Tuesday assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, outlining an ambitious roadmap to transform the Indian Army into a technologically advanced and future-ready force. In his first address after taking over the top military post, General Seth described the occasion as one of "immense pride and humility" and reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of "duty, honour and nation first." He also thanked the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Army.

Highlighting the rapidly evolving security environment, General Seth said the Indian Army would continue to modernise its capabilities to prepare for future conflicts. Describing the force as "combat-ready and battle-hardened," he emphasised that changing warfare demands greater focus on technology, innovation and integration. He also paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in service to the nation, saying their courage and sacrifice would continue to inspire future generations of military personnel.

To guide the Army's transformation, General Seth unveiled his "VIJAY" framework, an acronym representing five strategic priorities. The first pillar, Vigilance and Preparedness, focuses on maintaining constant surveillance along India's borders and ensuring a high level of operational readiness to respond swiftly to emerging security challenges. He said safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity would remain the Army's foremost responsibility.

Also Read: Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth Appointed Next Chief Of Army Staff

The second and third pillars, Innovation and Transformation and Jointness and Integration, aim to strengthen the Army's operational effectiveness through technological advancement and closer coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. General Seth also stressed adopting a "whole-of-nation" approach by encouraging greater collaboration between the military, industry, academia and civil institutions to address complex national security challenges and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The remaining pillars of the framework are Atmanirbharata and Yodha First. General Seth said the Army would increasingly rely on indigenous defence technologies and domestic industry to reduce dependence on imported military equipment. Under the "Yodha First" initiative, he pledged to prioritise the welfare, professional development and technological proficiency of soldiers, veterans and Veer Naris, recognising them as the foundation of the Indian Army's strength.

Concluding his address, General Seth paid tribute to his predecessor, General Upendra Dwivedi, and former Army chiefs for building a strong and respected institution. He said the principles of jointness, innovation and self-reliance would guide the Army's transformation in the years ahead and concluded with the slogan "Jai se Vijay," expressing confidence that the force would continue safeguarding India's national interests while preparing for the challenges of modern warfare.

Also Read: Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Named Army Chief, To Assume Command From June 30