IAF Chief AP Singh calls on President Murmu a day before retirement
Synopsis
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who led the IAF through 'Operation Sindoor', paid a farewell call on President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of his retirement after 42 years of service. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as the new Chief of Air Staff on 31 October.
Key Takeaways
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 30 October 2026 , accompanied by wife Smt Sarita Singh .
Singh retires on 31 October 2026 after 42 years of service in the Indian Air Force .
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had formally bid farewell to the Air Chief on 26 October 2026 , highlighting his role in 'Operation Sindoor' .
The formal farewell on 31 October will include a wreath-laying at the National War Memorial and a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi .
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will assume charge as the next Chief of Air Staff on 31 October 2026 .
Outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, 31 October 2026, a day before his formal superannuation from the Indian Air Force (IAF) after over four decades of service. The Air Chief Marshal was accompanied by his wife, Smt Sarita Singh.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan Visit
The President's Secretariat shared images of the meeting in a post on X, noting that Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh along with his spouse called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The courtesy call is a customary protocol observed by outgoing service chiefs ahead of their retirement.
Defence Minister's Farewell
Earlier, on 27 October 2026, Air Chief Marshal Singh had called on Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who extended warm wishes for his retirement. A formal farewell was given by the Defence Minister on 26 October 2026, before the minister departed on a foreign visit. The Ministry of Defence shared images of the farewell on its official X handle.
During the farewell, Rajnath Singh commended the outgoing Air Chief for his distinguished service, exemplary leadership, and invaluable contributions to the IAF and the nation. The Defence Minister specifically acknowledged the Air Chief Marshal's key role in the successful execution of 'Operation Sindoor', under which the IAF dismantled terror hideouts across the border, and in strengthening the overall capabilities of the force.
A Career Spanning 42 Years
Air Chief Marshal Singh undertook his maiden flight on 28 January 1984 and remained closely associated with fighter aircraft throughout his tenure. His 42-year career was marked by a sustained focus on operational readiness, modernisation of military capabilities, and preparedness to address evolving security challenges. Under his watch, the IAF executed one of its most significant recent operational mandates.
Formal Farewell and Succession
The formal farewell ceremony is scheduled for 31 October 2026, during which Air Chief Marshal Singh will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. He will subsequently inspect a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi before superannuating from service.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is set to take charge as the next Chief of Air Staff on 31 October 2026, marking a transition of leadership at the apex of the IAF.
Point of View
Shaped above all by 'Operation Sindoor'. The IAF's cross-border strike against terror infrastructure was the defining operational moment of his watch, and the political establishment's effusive farewell reflects how heavily the government has leaned on that narrative. The transition to Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit arrives at a moment when India's air power doctrine is in active flux — new platforms, contested borders on two fronts, and an unresolved modernisation pipeline. Whether Dixit can sustain the operational tempo Singh established will be the early test of his tenure.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did IAF Chief AP Singh call on President Murmu?
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh paid a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 30 October 2026, a day before his retirement from the Indian Air Force. Such calls are customary protocol for outgoing service chiefs.
When does Air Chief Marshal AP Singh retire?
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh retires on 31 October 2026, completing 42 years of service in the Indian Air Force. His maiden flight was on 28 January 1984.
What was Operation Sindoor and what was AP Singh's role in it?
'Operation Sindoor' was an IAF-led strike that dismantled terror hideouts across the border. Air Chief Marshal Singh led the IAF during the operation, a role that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh specifically acknowledged during the farewell ceremony on 26 October 2026.
Who will be the next Chief of Air Staff after AP Singh?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take charge as the next Chief of Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
What happens at the formal farewell ceremony for the IAF Chief?
The formal farewell on 31 October 2026 involves Air Chief Marshal Singh laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in honour of fallen soldiers, followed by an inspection of a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi, before his superannuation.
