UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — GENERAL DHIRAJ SETH TAKES OVER AS THE CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF

Q1. With reference to the change of command in the Indian Army on 30 June 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026.
  2. He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi.
  3. He belongs to the Armoured Corps.
  4. Immediately before becoming Chief of the Army Staff, he was serving as the Chief of Defence Staff.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. Which one of the following correctly describes the office that General Dhiraj Seth assumed on 30 June 2026?

  • A. 31st Chief of the Army Staff
  • B. 30th Chief of the Army Staff
  • C. 31st Chief of Defence Staff
  • D. 31st Vice Chief of the Army Staff

Q3. With reference to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. He took over command of the Indian Army on 15 January 1949, the day now observed annually as Army Day.
  2. He succeeded General Sir F.R.R. Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.
  3. He was the first Indian Army officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal.
  4. He led Indian forces on the Western Front during the 1947–48 war with Pakistan.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q4. With reference to the early leadership of the Indian Army, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. K.M. Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
  2. He was instrumental in raising the Brigade of the Guards and the Parachute Regiment.
  3. He is one of only two Indian Army officers to have held the rank of Field Marshal.
  4. He succeeded General K.S. Thimayya as head of the Indian Army.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q5. With reference to the office of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The COAS holds the rank of a four-star General.
  2. The COAS is appointed by the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence.
  3. The COAS heads the Department of Military Affairs as its Secretary.
  4. The COAS is the highest-ranking serving officer of the Indian Army.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. Within the Ministry of Defence, the designation 'Principal Military Adviser to the Raksha Mantri on all tri-Services matters' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Chief of Defence Staff
  • B. Chief of the Army Staff
  • C. Vice Chief of the Army Staff
  • D. Defence Secretary

Q7. The appointment of General Dhiraj Seth as Chief of the Army Staff was formally notified by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Defence, Government of India
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff
  • D. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

Q8. In which year was General Dhiraj Seth commissioned into the Armoured Corps?

  • A. 1986
  • B. 1984
  • C. 1989
  • D. 1991

Q9. General Dhiraj Seth holds the decorations PVSM, UYSM and AVSM. Consider the following statements about them. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. PVSM stands for Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
  2. UYSM stands for Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
  3. AVSM stands for Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
  4. All three are gallantry awards conferred specifically for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Among the decorations held by General Dhiraj Seth, the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) is awarded for which one of the following?

  • A. A high degree of distinguished service in a wartime (operational) context
  • B. The most exceptional distinguished service rendered during peacetime
  • C. Individual acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy
  • D. Long, meritorious and dedicated service by junior commissioned officers and other ranks

Q11. Within the Indian Army's own chain of command, which one of the following is the senior-most officer, to whom the Vice Chief of the Army Staff is immediately subordinate?

  • A. Chief of the Army Staff
  • B. Chief of Defence Staff
  • C. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of a Command
  • D. Deputy Chief of the Army Staff

Q12. Consider the following appointments held by General Dhiraj Seth before he became Chief of the Army Staff. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command
  2. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command
  3. Vice Chief of the Army Staff
  4. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4