Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari_pvsm_avsm_vm, following his schooling at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and graduation from National Defence Academy (NDA), was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force. He has over 3600 hours of flying experience on different aircraft types, is a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot. Graduating with honors from the Air Command and Staff College in the US, he has served at various prestigious institutions including IAF Test Pilots' School and Defence Services Staff College Wellington. With extensive field experience including operational testing of weapons and systems, his notable contribution includes key roles during Operation Kargil and in the flight testing of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). He received Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service in 2025, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and Vayu Sena Medal in 2008. Air Marshal Tiwari has also served as the Air Attache at Paris and was recently appointed as the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force's Air Staff, succeeding before taking charge from Officer Commanding South Western Air Command.
Summary:
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari_pvsm_avsm_vm becomes the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in the Indian Airforce following a decorated career with extensive operational experience. His educational background includes schooling at RIMC and NDA, successful pilot commission in 1986 after receiving President's Gold Medal, followed by diverse military responsibilities including test piloting multiple aircraft systems during critical operations like Operation Kargil and flight tests of LCA from 2006 to 2009 & subsequent roles up to his current appointment as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. In recognition for his contributions he has received national honors such as Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal and was deployed in Paris as Air Attaché earlier.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: A governmental body responsible for defense and security policies.
AIR MARSHAL: A rank in the Indian military, particularly within the air force.
NARMDESHWAR TIWARI PVSM AVSM VM: The name of the individual who took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff at the Indian Air Force (IAF). He is recognized for his service and achievements in the military with multiple awards.
VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF: A prominent role within the Indian Air Force, responsible for overseeing strategic operations and policies.
INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF): The air force component of India's defense forces, responsible for air defense and strategic tasks.
02 MAY 2025: The specific date mentioned when Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari took up his role as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) Dehradun: Educational institution known for military training, leading to careers in the Armed Forces.
National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasala: A joint defense academy of India providing an education to Indian Armed Forces personnel candidates.
President's Gold Medal: An award given by the President of India, recognizing excellence in military or academic performance.
Indian Air Force (IAF), commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 07 Jun 1986: Role and date of service as a fighter pilot following training.
3600 hours of flying experience: Amount of flight time accumulated by Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari on different aircraft models.
Graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, USA.: An institution for military leadership training in the United States.
IAF Test Pilots' School: A school within the Indian Air Force responsible for training test pilots and other aerospace professionals.
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington: An institution providing advanced leadership and staff education for military personnel.
Operational testing of various weapons and systems, including the Litening Laser Designation Pod during Kargil Operations in 1999: Military role involved in tests that led to operational capabilities during historical campaigns.
Flight testing of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from 2006-2009 and later: Contributions made towards the development and deployment of a specific aircraft type within the Indian Air Force.
Air Attache at Paris, served from 2013 to 2016.: Role involving diplomatic duties associated with military affairs based in Paris.
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, held appointment at Air HQ VB: A leadership position overseeing air operations and possibly planning within the air force headquarters.
Directing Staff: An official role typically involved in mentoring or supervising cadets/candidates.
Ministry of Defence
AIR MARSHAL NARMDESHWAR TIWARI PVSM
AVSM VM TAKES OVER AS VICE CHIEF OF THE
AIR STAFF, INDIAN AIR FORCE
Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, IAF on
02 May 25.
The Air Marshal completed his schooling at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun
before joining the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala, He passed out from NDA in Jun
1985 with the President's Gold Medal. He was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air
Force on 07 Jun 1986. The Air Marshal has over 3600 hours of flying experience on various types
of aircraft. Besides being a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, the Air
Marshal is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, USA. He has also served as Directing
Staff at the IAF Test Pilots' School and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. His
extensive field experience encompasses operational testing of various weapons and systems,
including a key role in operationalising the 'Litening' Laser Designation Pod during the Kargil
Operations in 1999. He was actively involved in the flight testing of the LCA from 2006 to 2009 and
later in 2018-19, wherein, as the Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, he
was involved in the Final Operational Clearance of the aircraft. The Air Marshal served as the Air
Attache at Paris from 2013 to 2016. He has also held appointment Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at
Air HQ (VB).
Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-
Chief at South Western Air Command. In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal
was awarded the Presidential Award of Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025, Ati Vishisht Seva
Medal in 2022, and Vayu Sena Medal in 2008.
He is married to Mrs. Richa Tiwari, a postgraduate in Cytology. The couple is blessed with two
daughters.***
VK/JS/SM
(Release ID: 2126201)