New Delhi: The Government on October 6 appoints Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from the afternoon of October 31, 2026. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who superannuates on the same day.
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Born on December 9, 1966, Air Marshal Dixit is commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. He has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience and is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor. His flying experience includes the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and LCA Tejas.
Before becoming Vice Chief of the Air Staff in July 2026, Dixit serves as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. His career also includes command of a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a fighter training base in the Southern Sector.
Dixit brings extensive operational experience, having been involved in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope-India and Operation Sindoor. His career also includes responsibilities related to air operations, air defence, projects, planning and air staff requirements, giving him experience across both operational and capability-development domains.
His appointment comes at a significant stage for the IAF as it works to strengthen its fighter fleet, accelerate indigenous aerospace programmes and integrate emerging capabilities such as unmanned systems, while also dealing with evolving multi-domain warfare requirements. As Vice Chief, Dixit has also been closely associated with the IAF’s engagement with India’s unmanned-systems industry, including the first Dronathon-2026 at Pokhran.
Air Marshal Dixit has received the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal, with the PVSM awarded in 2026. He is set to assume command of the IAF on October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
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