Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed IAF chief, takes charge October 31
Synopsis
The Centre has cleared Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit — a decorated fighter pilot with over 3,500 flying hours and a key role in Op Sindoor — as India's 29th IAF chief. He takes charge on 31 October 2026, and with deep ties to the Tejas programme, his tenure is set to define the next chapter of India's Aatmanirbharta push in air power.
Key Takeaways
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed India's 29th Chief of the Air Staff , effective 31 October 2026 .
His tenure will last until 31 December 2028 .
He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh , who superannuates on 31 October 2026 .
Dixit has over 3,500 hours of flying experience on aircraft including the Mirage-2000 , MiG variants, Jaguar , and Tejas .
He participated in operations including Op Sindoor , Op Rakshak , and Op Sated Sagar .
He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026 , among four service decorations across his career.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Centre announced on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. He will assume charge as the nation's 29th IAF chief on 31 October 2026, with his tenure extending until 31 December 2028.
Official Notification
A government notification confirmed the appointment, stating: 'With the approval of the President, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff in the substantive rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from the afternoon of 31st October, 2026, with a tenure up to 31st December, 2028.' Dixit succeeds incumbent Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who superannuates on 31 October 2026. Dixit is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
An Aviator's Profile
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 6 December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is a qualified flying instructor with over 3,500 hours of flying experience across a wide range of aircraft — including the Mirage-2000, variants of the MiG, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, HAWK, and the indigenous Tejas. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Staff Service College (Bangladesh), and the National Defence College.
During a career spanning nearly four decades, he has participated in operations including Op Sated Sagar, Op Rakshak, and Op Sindoor. He commanded a front-line fighter air base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector.
Key Appointments and Decorations
Prior to his current role, Dixit served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command. His decorations include the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).
Aatmanirbharta and What Comes Next
Having been closely involved in the induction and development of the indigenous LCA Tejas and other domestic aircraft programmes, Dixit is widely expected to accelerate the government's Aatmanirbharta push in defence. His appointment comes at a strategically significant moment, with the IAF in the midst of a major modernisation drive. The formal transfer of command is set for the afternoon of 31 October 2026.
Point of View
Dixit inherits a modernisation agenda that is ambitious but behind schedule. His tenure through December 2028 will be a defining window for Aatmanirbharta in the air domain.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Chief of the Indian Air Force?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He will take charge in the substantive rank of Air Chief Marshal on 31 October 2026, becoming the IAF's 29th chief.
When does Ashutosh Dixit take charge as IAF chief?
Dixit assumes charge on the afternoon of 31 October 2026, the same day incumbent Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh superannuates. His tenure runs until 31 December 2028.
Who does Ashutosh Dixit succeed as IAF chief?
Dixit succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on 31 October 2026 upon superannuation.
What is Ashutosh Dixit's background and experience?
Commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream on 6 December 1986, Dixit is a qualified flying instructor with over 3,500 hours on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, and Tejas. He has served in key roles including Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command, and participated in operations including Op Sindoor.
What does Dixit's appointment mean for India's defence modernisation?
Having been closely involved in the induction of the indigenous LCA Tejas and other domestic aircraft programmes, Dixit is expected to push forward the government's Aatmanirbharta agenda in defence. His tenure is seen as critical for accelerating indigenous platform induction within the IAF.
