The Government has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff. He will assume charge in the rank of Air Chief Marshal from the afternoon of October 31, 2026.
Air Marshal Dixit is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is scheduled to superannuate on October 31, 2026.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
He will assume charge from the afternoon of October 31, 2026.
He will hold the post in the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
He will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
He is currently the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience.
Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor and has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience.
During his career, he has held several senior command and staff appointments, including Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. He took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on July 1, 2026.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The appointment marks the scheduled change in the leadership of the Indian Air Force, with Air Marshal Dixit set to assume the post of Chief of the Air Staff on October 31, 2026.
