SRINAGAR: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff and will take charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
Dixit, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will assume charge after Singh retires on October 31, 2026.
An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Dixit has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1986.
During his career, Dixit has commanded a Mirage 2000 squadron, a frontline fighter base in the Western sector and a premier fighter training base. He has also held senior operational and strategic appointments, including Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.
Dixit is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College.
Dixit also participated in Operation Safed Sagar and Operation Rakshak during his IAF career.
