Army Chief Gen. Dhiraj Seth Salutes Father at South Block Ceremony

General Dhiraj Seth saluted his retired father after receiving a guard of honour during his appointment ceremony at South Block in New Delhi ^[1].

The event marks a rare intersection of high-ranking military lineage within the Indian Armed Forces. By honoring his father, the new Chief of Army Staff highlighted the familial traditions that often underpin professional military service in India ^[1].

The ceremony took place July 1, 2024 ^[1]. Following the formal guard of honour, General Seth approached his father, retired Lt. Gen. K. M. Seth, to offer a salute. This gesture served as a traditional way to seek blessings upon assuming the top leadership role of the army ^[1].

The military nature of the family was further emphasized when General Seth's younger brother, Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, also participated in the proceedings. In a reversal of the usual hierarchy of age, Rear Admiral Seth saluted his brother to acknowledge his new rank and position as the head of the army ^[2].

The South Block ceremony is a standard procedure for incoming chiefs, but the presence of two other high-ranking officers from the same family added a personal dimension to the official transition ^[3]. The event was attended by military personnel and family members who witnessed the exchange of salutes between the three brothers and father, all of whom have served in the armed forces ^[2].

General Seth now leads the army's strategic direction. The public nature of the family's interaction at South Block underscores the continuity of military service across generations within the Seth family ^[1].