General Dhiraj Seth Becomes India's New Army Chief, Lays Out 'VIJAY' Plan for the Force
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India's Army has a new leader. General Dhiraj Seth was sworn in as the 31st Chief of Army Staff, the top uniformed officer commanding the Indian Army. In his first address after taking charge, he spoke about the need to modernise the force so it can handle a fast-changing security landscape both along India's borders and in newer areas of conflict like cyber and space.
General Seth explained his priorities using a five-letter acronym: VIJAY, which also means 'victory' in Hindi. Each letter stands for a specific focus area he plans to push during his tenure.
'V' stands for Vigilance, meaning constant watchfulness along India's borders and readiness against new and emerging threats. 'I' stands for Innovation and Transformation, which involves rethinking military strategy and adopting new technology to keep pace with how warfare is evolving globally.
'J' stands for Jointness and Integration, which means the Army working more closely and in sync with the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. General Seth said this cooperation should extend beyond the military too, involving civilians and the wider government, so the Army can support India's broader development goals, including the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of becoming a fully developed nation by 2047.
'A' stands for Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance. General Seth said the Army must increasingly depend on weapons and technology made within India, so that future wars can be won using indigenous, home-built solutions rather than imported equipment.
Finally, 'Y' stands for Yodha First. Yodha means warrior or fighter in Hindi, and General Seth used this term to describe every rank of Army personnel, from young recruits enlisted under the Agniveer scheme to the most senior retired veterans. He said improving soldiers' training and technological capabilities, along with looking after the welfare of veterans and Veer Naris, the term used for the widows of soldiers who died in service, will be among his top priorities.
General Seth also connected his roadmap to a mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the armed forces, called JAI, which stands for Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation. He said this mantra forms the base on which his own VIJAY plan is built.
He closed his address by assuring citizens that the Indian Army remains fully prepared to protect India's sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and its broader national interests.
Why it matters
The Chief of Army Staff sets the direction for the world's second-largest army at a time when security challenges are becoming more complex, spanning traditional border tensions as well as newer domains like technology and cyber warfare. General Seth's VIJAY roadmap signals continuity with the government's push for self-reliant defence manufacturing and closer coordination among the armed forces, while also promising renewed attention to the welfare of soldiers and veterans. How these priorities are implemented will shape the Army's readiness and its role in supporting India's long-term development goals.
Test yourself
1. What position did General Dhiraj Seth take charge of?
2. What does the acronym VIJAY stand for in General Seth's roadmap?
3. What does the 'V' in VIJAY represent?
4. What does 'Atmanirbharta' mean in this context?
5. Who are the 'Veer Naris' mentioned by General Seth?
6. What does 'Jointness and Integration' focus on according to General Seth?
7. What is the JAI mantra referenced by General Seth, and who introduced it?
8. What does 'Yodha First' emphasize as a priority?
9. What long-term national vision did General Seth link the Army's integrated approach to?
10. According to General Seth, what is the overall aim regarding warfare and technology?
Your notes
Source: The Indian Express