IAF chief AP Singh flies with NCC cadet at Dundigal Air Force Academy
Synopsis
Days before his retirement, outgoing IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh personally took NCC cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy on a flying sortie aboard a Kiran aircraft at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal — letting her practise flight manoeuvres under his guidance. It is a rare instance of the Air Force's top commander directly mentoring a cadet, and it comes as his successor Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit prepares to take charge on 31 October.
Key Takeaways
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook a flying sortie with NCC cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy on 23 October 2026 at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad .
The sortie was conducted aboard a Kiran aircraft ; the cadet practised flight manoeuvres under the Air Chief's direct guidance.
Air Chief Marshal Singh is retiring this month; his successor Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge on 31 October 2026 .
Pre-flight preparation included cockpit familiarisation, safety briefings, ejection-procedure training, and medical checks.
The NCC said the initiative aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of empowering youth for nation-building.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), undertook a flying sortie with NCC senior wing cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad on Friday, 23 October 2026, giving the young aviator-aspirant direct exposure to aerial manoeuvres aboard a Kiran aircraft. The initiative is being described as a one-of-a-kind gesture that connects the Indian Air Force's top leadership with the next generation of defence personnel.
Pre-Flight Preparation and Briefing
Before the sortie, Cadet Tejasvi Reddy underwent a comprehensive preparation sequence that included cockpit familiarisation, safety briefings, ejection-procedure familiarisation, and medical checks. Air Chief Marshal Singh personally briefed her on the Kiran aircraft's specifications, major components, engine functioning, cockpit procedures, and safety mechanisms — a level of access rarely afforded to NCC cadets.
What Happened During the Sortie
During the flight, the Air Chief explained various flight manoeuvres, flight angles, and steep turns. Notably, he allowed Cadet Tejasvi to practise manoeuvres under his direct guidance — a hands-on experience that underscored both the mentorship intent and the technical rigour expected of future aviators. The cadet later reflected that the sortie demonstrated that flying demands not just technical knowledge but also sound decision-making, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Significance and Timing
The sortie carries additional weight given its timing. Air Chief Marshal Singh is set to retire this month, with this sortie coming just days before his final flying engagement — a scheduled sortie with his first flying instructor. His successor, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, is slated to take charge as the next Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026. The gesture thus marks one of the outgoing chief's final acts in uniform as a meaningful outreach to young defence aspirants.
NCC's Expanding Aviation Role
The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, issued a statement highlighting the broader purpose of the initiative. 'The National Cadet Corps is expanding its training programmes to foster skills, self-confidence, and leadership qualities among the youth. In line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047), the objective is to empower young people to hone their talents and contribute to nation-building,' the NCC said. The initiative spotlights the practical flying opportunities available to Air Wing cadets and the pathways they open toward careers in the defence services.
What This Means for Aspiring Aviators
For Cadet Tejasvi Reddy, the sortie is expected to accelerate her aspiration of becoming a professional aviator. More broadly, it signals the Indian Air Force's intent to deepen engagement with NCC cadets as a pipeline for motivated, trained defence personnel — a priority that aligns with India's push to expand its military talent base under the Agnipath and broader recruitment frameworks. Similar outreach programmes have been conducted before, but direct mentorship at the Chief of the Air Staff level is rare.
Point of View
High-visibility gestures like this sortie serve a recruitment signalling function that no brochure can replicate. The timing — days before Singh's retirement — also gives the outreach a personal dimension that is likely to resonate far beyond Dundigal. What remains to be seen is whether the NCC Air Wing's expanded training ambitions are matched by commensurate infrastructure investment, or whether this remains a compelling headline without systemic follow-through.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh do with the NCC cadet?
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook a flying sortie aboard a Kiran aircraft with NCC senior wing cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad on 23 October 2026. He briefed her on the aircraft's specifications and allowed her to practise flight manoeuvres under his direct guidance.
Who is Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy?
Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy is a senior wing cadet of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) who was selected for the flying sortie with the Chief of the Air Staff. The experience is expected to advance her aspiration of becoming a professional aviator.
When is Air Chief Marshal AP Singh retiring?
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is retiring in October 2026. His successor, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, is slated to take charge as the next Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026.
What is the significance of the Dundigal flying sortie for NCC cadets?
The sortie highlights the practical aviation opportunities available to NCC Air Wing cadets and the pathways they offer toward careers in the defence services. It is rare for the Chief of the Air Staff to personally mentor a cadet in-flight, making this a landmark moment for NCC aviation outreach.
What did the NCC say about the initiative?
The NCC stated that it is expanding its training programmes to foster skills, self-confidence, and leadership among youth, in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The corps said its objective is to empower young people to hone their talents and contribute to nation-building.
