Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding AP Singh
On 31 October 2026, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who superannuated after 42 years of service.
Summary
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force on 31 October 2026. He succeeded Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who superannuated the same day after 42 years of service, including leading the IAF during Operation Sindoor. An NDA alumnus commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986, Air Chief Marshal Dixit is an experimental test pilot with over 3,500 flying hours and was serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff before taking over.
Key facts
- New Chief of the Air Staff
- Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (29th CAS)
- Took charge
- 31 October 2026
- Predecessor
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (superannuated after 42 years)
- Commissioned
- 6 December 1986, fighter stream
- Previous post
- Vice Chief of the Air Staff
- Flying experience
- Over 3,500 hours (Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar)
- Earlier role
- Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman COSC during Operation Sindoor
Practice MCQs 5 questions
In October 2026, who assumed charge as the Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force?
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Correct answer: A — Ashutosh Dixit
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit became which numbered Chief of the Air Staff of India?
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Correct answer: B — 29th
Before taking over as Chief of the Air Staff, Ashutosh Dixit was serving in which post?
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Correct answer: C — Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who superannuated on 31 October 2026, served in the Indian Air Force for how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 42 years
Consider the following about Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit: 1. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 6 December 1986. 2. He served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee during Operation Sindoor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2