The Government of India has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the current Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the next Chief of the Indian Air Force.
He will succeed Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who is set to retire on October 31, 2026, upon attaining superannuation.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, approved the appointment of Air Marshal Dixit as the next Chief of the Air Staff.
He will assume command of the Indian Air Force on October 31, 2026.
A highly accomplished fighter pilot and seasoned air commander, Air Marshal Dixit played a key role in major Indian Air Force operations, including Operation Sindoor and Operation Safed Sagar.
Born on December 9, 1966, Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, he brings with him nearly four decades of distinguished military service.
Prior to assuming the appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff on July 1, 2026, Air Marshal Dixit served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command.
An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Air Marshal Dixit has amassed over 3,500 flying hours on a wide range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG series, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and Tejas.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has been closely associated with several major operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Sindoor.
He has also commanded a frontline fighter air base in the western sector and a premier fighter training establishment in the southern sector.
Widely regarded as a professional with deep operational and strategic experience, Air Marshal Dixit has made significant contributions to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force through a variety of command, staff, and instructional appointments.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, he has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).
With extensive experience in operational planning, force development, and joint military integration, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Indian Air Force continues its modernization drive and prepares to meet emerging security challenges across the region.
