**Executive Summary**
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM AVSM VM VSM, officially assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force on July 1, 2026. He succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30, 2026, after four decades of service. This transition marks a significant change in the senior leadership of the Indian Air Force.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **New Leadership:** Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff on July 1, 2026.
* **Professional Background:** Commissioned into the IAF fighter stream on December 6, 1986, the Air Marshal is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3,500 hours of flying experience on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, and Tejas.
* **Operational Experience:** His four-decade career includes active involvement in operations such as Op-Safed Sagar and Op-Rakshak, as well as exercises like Cope-India and Op Sindoor.
* **Previous Appointments:**
* Served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at HQ IDS.
* Held the position of Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Central Air Command.
* Served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects and Plans) at Air Headquarters.
* Commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a training base in the Southern Sector.
* **Contributions to Integration:** While at HQ IDS, he focused on "Jointness and Integration" among the services, leading to the release of multiple Joint Doctrines and Orders.
* **Awards and Recognitions:** He has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), and Vayu Sena Medal (2006).
* **Predecessor:** Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor superannuated on June 30, 2026, completing 40 years of service.
**Impact Analysis**
**Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit**
**Impact**
He ascends to the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, taking on the responsibility of high-level leadership and operational oversight within the Indian Air Force.
**Action Required**
Assume the formal charge and duties of the Vice Chief of the Air Staff effective July 1, 2026.
**Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor**
**Impact**
He concluded his military career and superannuated from service.
**Action Required**
Complete the handover process and formal retirement procedures as of June 30, 2026.
**Indian Air Force / Ministry of Defence**
**Impact**
The organization experiences a transition in its top-tier command structure, ensuring continuity in leadership and the ongoing pursuit of tri-service integration.
**Action Required**
Update administrative and official records to reflect the change in the office of the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
Key Entities Referenced
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit: The officer who assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force on July 1, 2026.
Indian Air Force (IAF): The military service branch where the senior leadership transition for the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff occurred.
Ministry of Defence: The primary government ministry overseeing the Indian Air Force and the appointment of its senior leadership.
Ministry of Defence
AIR MARSHAL ASHUTOSH DIXIT PVSM AVSM
VM VSM TAKES OVER AS VICE CHIEF OF THE
AIR STAFF INDIAN AIR FORCE
प्रव तथ: 01 JUL 2026 12:59PM by PIB Delhi
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit PVSM AVSM VM VSM took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air
Force on 01 Jul 26.
The Air Marshal was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF on 06 December 1986. He is an
alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Staff Service College (Bangladesh) and National
Defence College with more than 3500 hours of flying. The Air Marshal has an extensive flying experience
on various aircraft; to name a few; Mirage-2000, variants of Mig, HPT-32, An-32, Avro, Kiran,
Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.
During his service career, spanning approx four decades, he has been actively involved in numerous
operations and exercises viz Op-Safed Sagar, Op-Rakshak, Cope-India and Op Sindoor.
During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held a number of significant field and staff appointments.
As Commanding Officer, he re-equipped No. 9 Sqn with Mirage-2000 and later commanded a front line
fighter air base in Western Sector and a premiere fighter training base in Southern Sector. He has served as
a Directing Staff at Air Force Test Pilots School and held the staff appointment of Principle Director Air
Staff Requirement at Air HQ. The Air Officer held the appointment of Air Defence Commander of
Southern Air Command and tenanted the appointments of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects),
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), Senior Air Staff Officer at
Head Quarters South Western Air Command and Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters (Vayu
Bhawan).
Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal served as Air Officer
Commanding in Chief, Central Air Command, and thereafter as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to
the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
Tenanting the Tri-services appointment, the Air Marshal with his visionary leadership; has continuously
strived for Jointness and Integration. Multiple Joint Doctrines & Orders have been released and various
initiatives have been conceived towards strengthening of Defence Forces in all domains.
In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation, the Air Marshal has been awarded
Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param
Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor
SYSM PVSM AVSM VM who superannuated on 30 Jun 26 after 40 years of glorious and distinguished
service to the nation..***
HT/VK/GK
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