New Delhi: The Government has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take charge in the rank of Air Chief Marshal with effect from the afternoon of October 31, 2026.
The appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit comes as the present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, is set to superannuate from office on October 31, 2026.
Born on December 9, 1966, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986.
Before assuming charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), as well as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command.
Education and Flying Experience
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Command & Staff College Bangladesh and National Defence College.
He has more than 3,500 hours of extensive flying experience on various aircraft, including Mirage-2000, variants of MiG, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. He is also an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.
During his service career spanning approximately four decades, he has been actively involved in numerous operations and exercises, including Op-Safed Sagar, Op-Rakshak and Op-Sindoor.
Key Appointments
During his illustrious career, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has held several significant field and staff appointments.
He commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector.
Awards
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has received several military honours in recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service.
He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
With his appointment, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will become the 29th Chief of the Air Staff and assume the rank of Air Chief Marshal from the afternoon of October 31, 2026.
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