New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) approved the appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, as the next Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.
According to an official communication, President Droupadi Murmu has approved Dixit’s appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff in the substantive rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from the afternoon of October 31, 2026. He will hold the post until December 31, 2028.
Dixit, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is due to superannuate on October 31, 2026. Dixit assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on July 1, 2026.
Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor and has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience on a variety of aircraft.
During his nearly four-decade career, Dixit has held several key operational and staff appointments, including Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. He served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff from May 2025 until June 2026, before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.
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