Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed as 29th Chief of Air Staff

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Key takeaways

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, taking over after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh retires on 31st October 2026.
Commissioned in 1986, Air Marshal Dixit possesses over 3,500 hours of flying experience across modern aircraft including Tejas and Mirage-2000.
He has participated in key military missions like Operation Safed Sagar and Operation Rakshak, and was honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

The government has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
He will take charge after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh retires from service on 31st October 2026.

Air Marshal Dixit joined the Fighter Stream of the Indian Air Force in 1986.
He brings nearly four decades of distinguished service with over 3,500 hours of flying experience across various aircraft.
His flying record includes operating key fighter planes like the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and the indigenous Tejas.
He is also professionally qualified as an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.

He previously served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command.
He also held the crucial position of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

Throughout his career, he has participated in major military efforts like Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Operation Sindoor, and joint drills like Exercise Cope India.
He has commanded key operational bases, including a frontline fighter base in the Western Sector and a training base in the Southern Sector.

His distinguished service has earned him four major military honors: the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.