Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit named next Chief of the Air Staff
Why in the news
The Ministry of Defence announced on 6 October 2026 that Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, at present the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will be the next Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force.
Key facts
- 29th CAS: he will assume office on 31 October 2026.
- Predecessor: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on the same date.
- Commission: joined the IAF fighter stream on 6 December 1986; born on 9 December 1966.
- Flying: more than 3,500 hours on aircraft including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Tejas, Hawk, Kiran and IL-78. He is an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor.
- Education: alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College.
About Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
Before becoming Vice Chief, he served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. He has also commanded a forward fighter base in the western sector and a major fighter training station in the south.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Vayu Sena Medal | 2006 |
| Vishisht Seva Medal | 2011 |
| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal | 2023 |
| Param Vishisht Seva Medal | 2026 |
Exam angle
- Next IAF chief: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the 29th CAS, from 31 October 2026.
- Outgoing chief: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
- Previous commands: Central Air Command and the post of CISC.