Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit PVSM AVSM VM VSM has taken over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force effective July 1, 2026. The officer was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF on December 6, 1986, and is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Staff Service College (Bangladesh), and National Defence College with more than 3500 hours of flying experience across various aircraft including Mirage-2000, Mig variants, HPT-32, An-32, Avro, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and Tejas.
Dixit is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor who has been actively involved in numerous operations and exercises including Op-Safed Sagar, Op-Rakshak, Cope-India, and Op Sindoor during his nearly four-decade service career. He has held significant field and staff appointments including Commanding Officer where he re-equipped No. 9 Squadron with Mirage-2000, commanded front line fighter air bases in Western and Southern Sectors, and served as Directing Staff at Air Force Test Pilots School.
His staff appointments include Principle Director Air Staff Requirement at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters South Western Air Command, and Deputy Chief of Air Staff. Prior to his current appointment, Dixit served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Central Air Command, and subsequently as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
In recognition of his service, Dixit has been awarded Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026). He succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM who superannuated on June 30, 2026, after 40 years of service. This content may not be financially relevant.