Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, is appointed as Chief of the Air Staff

The Indian Air Force is set for a leadership change. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). He will take charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.

Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit brings nearly four decades of experience in the Indian Air Force. He is a fighter pilot, Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3,500 hours of flying experience across several aircraft.

His appointment is also notable because of his National Defence Academy (NDA) connection with General Dhiraj Seth, the current Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Both began their military journey as NDA coursemates in 1986 and have now reached the top leadership positions of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Become the 29th CAS

The Government of India announced Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s appointment on 6 October 2026. He will assume office on the afternoon of 31 October 2026, in the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

He will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who will retire on the same day.

The appointment comes at an important time for the Indian Air Force, which is focused on modernising its combat fleet, strengthening air defence, increasing indigenous defence production and adapting to rapidly changing technologies in warfare.

Ashutosh Dixit and General Dhiraj Seth: From NDA Coursemates to Service Chiefs

One of the most interesting aspects of this leadership transition is the NDA connection between Air Marshal Dixit and General Dhiraj Seth.

Both officers were coursemates at the National Defence Academy and began their military careers in December 1986. Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on 6 December 1986, while General Dhiraj Seth was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps around the same time.

Nearly four decades later, General Dhiraj Seth is leading the Indian Army, while Air Marshal Dixit is set to lead the Indian Air Force.

For NDA aspirants, this is a particularly interesting example of how an officer’s journey can develop over several decades, from training at the academy to commanding one of India’s major military services.

The connection is also relevant as India continues to focus on jointness and integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Who Is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was born on 9 December 1966 and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 6 December 1986.

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi.

During his career, he has served as a fighter pilot, Qualified Flying Instructor, and Experimental Test Pilot. He has flown more than 3,500 hours on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Kiran, Hawk, IL-78, An-32 and Tejas.

His career combines operational flying experience with technical, instructional, and leadership roles.

Operational and Command Experience

Air Marshal Dixit has been associated with several important operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil conflict, Operation Rakshak, Operation Sindoor, and Cope India.

He also commanded the No. 9 Squadron, known as the Wolfpack, and has commanded frontline operational establishments.

As he moved into senior leadership, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and later as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).

He took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 1 July 2026.

These appointments have given him experience at both the operational and strategic levels of the Armed Forces.

Experience With Tejas and Indigenous Defence

Air Marshal Dixit’s background as an Experimental Test Pilot and his experience with different aircraft are particularly relevant as India expands its indigenous aerospace capabilities.

He has been associated with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme and India’s broader efforts towards self-reliance in defence.

For the IAF, platforms such as Tejas are an important part of the move towards a stronger domestic aerospace ecosystem. As the new Air Chief, his experience in aviation and modernisation will be relevant to the service’s future capability development.

Military Awards

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has received four major military decorations during his career.

Award	Year
Vayu Sena Medal (VM)	2006
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)	2011
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)	2023
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)	2026

These awards recognise distinguished service and exceptional devotion to duty during different stages of his career.

Previous Chiefs of the Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will become the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, joining a long line of officers who have led the Indian Air Force since Independence.

Some of the most prominent names in the IAF’s leadership history include Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who led the service during a crucial period in India’s military history, and later Chiefs who guided the force through the 1971 war, Kargil, and the transition towards modern air power.

Here is the chronological list of previous Chiefs of the Air Staff:

No.	Chief of the Air Staff	Tenure
1	Air Marshal Sir Thomas W. Elmhirst	1947–1950
2	Air Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman	1950–1951
3	Air Marshal Sir Gerald Ernest Gibbs	1951–1954
4	Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee	1954–1960
5	Air Chief Marshal A. M. Engineer	1960–1964
6	Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh	1964–1969
7	Air Chief Marshal P. C. Lal	1969–1973
8	Air Chief Marshal O. P. Mehra	1973–1976
9	Air Chief Marshal Hrushikesh Moolgavkar	1976–1978
10	Air Chief Marshal Idris Hasan Latif	1978–1981
11	Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh	1981–1984
12	Air Chief Marshal L. M. Katre	1984–1985
13	Air Chief Marshal Denis A. La Fontaine	1985–1988
14	Air Chief Marshal S. K. Mehra	1988–1990
15	Air Chief Marshal N. C. Suri	1990–1993
16	Air Chief Marshal S. K. Kaul	1993–1995
17	Air Chief Marshal S. K. Sareen	1996–1998
18	Air Chief Marshal A. Y. Tipnis	1999–2001
19	Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy	2002–2004
20	Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi	2005–2007
21	Air Chief Marshal F. H. Major	2007–2009
22	Air Chief Marshal P. V. Naik	2009–2011
23	Air Chief Marshal N. A. K. Browne	2011–2013
24	Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha	2014–2016
25	Air Chief Marshal B. S. Dhanoa	2017–2019
26	Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria	2019–2021
27	Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari	2021–2024
28	Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh	2024–2026
29	Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit	From 31 October 2026

What Will Be the Key Priorities for the New Air Chief

Air Marshal Dixit will take charge at a time when air warfare is changing rapidly.

The IAF’s priorities include modernising its aircraft fleet, strengthening air defence, expanding indigenous platforms, integrating drones and advanced technologies, and improving joint operations with the Army and Navy.

The growing importance of unmanned systems, electronic warfare, precision weapons, surveillance and network-centric operations is also changing how air forces prepare for future conflicts.

His experience as a fighter pilot, test pilot, operational commander, and senior tri-service officer gives him exposure to many of these areas.

Why This Appointment Matters for Defence Aspirants

For students preparing for NDA, CDS, AFCAT and other defence examinations, the appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is an important current-affairs topic.

His career also provides a practical example of how a military journey can evolve.

He entered the IAF fighter stream in 1986 and went on to fly more than 3,500 hours, command fighter units and operational establishments, serve in senior Air Headquarters positions, head a major operational command, and hold a tri-service appointment.

Now, he is set to become the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.

The fact that he and General Dhiraj Seth were NDA coursemates makes the story even more relevant for aspirants. Their journey shows how the NDA can bring together young cadets who may eventually go on to hold some of the highest responsibilities in India’s Armed Forces.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit: Key Facts

Particular	Details
Name	Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
Born	9 December 1966
Commissioned	6 December 1986
Branch	Fighter Stream
Flying Experience	3,500+ hours
Major Aircraft	Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Kiran, Hawk, IL-78, An-32, Tejas
Major Operations	Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Operation Sindoor
Major Appointments	CISC, AOC-in-C Central Air Command, Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Awards	PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM
New Position	29th Chief of the Air Staff
Takes Charge	31 October 2026
Succeeds	Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh

Conclusion

The appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff marks an important transition in the leadership of the Indian Air Force.

With nearly four decades of service, more than 3,500 flying hours, operational experience, and senior command and strategic appointments, he brings a broad range of experience to the position.

His journey is also closely connected with the National Defence Academy, where he was a coursemate of General Dhiraj Seth, the current Chief of the Army Staff. From starting their military careers together to eventually leading two major services, their journey is an interesting example for today’s defence aspirants.

Air Marshal Dixit will formally take charge on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. As he takes over, his leadership will come at a time when the Indian Air Force is preparing for the demands of a rapidly changing and increasingly technology-driven battlefield.