Government appoints Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff
6 October 2026
The Ministry of Defence announced that the Government has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, at present the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
The appointment takes effect from the afternoon of October 31, 2026. The present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, superannuates from office on October 31, 2026.
Born on December 09, 1966, Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 06, 1986.
Before becoming Vice Chief of the Air Staff he was Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, and earlier Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command.
He has more than 3500 hours of flying experience on aircraft including Mirage-2000, variants of MiG, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas, and is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.
He has taken part in operations and exercises including Op-Safed Sagar, Op-Rakshak and Op-Sindoor, and was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
In plain words
Chief of the Air Staff Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) — The professional head of the Indian Air Force, who holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
PVSM Param Vishisht Seva Medal — The highest Indian military award for distinguished service of the most exceptional order in peacetime.
CISC Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee — The senior tri-service officer who heads Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
Qualified Flying Instructor Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) — A pilot formally certified by the air force to train other pilots.