Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit: Meet the new Indian Air Chief who served in Operation Sindoor, Op Rakshak | Today’s news
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, a fighter pilot with over 3,500 flying hours, will take over as the 29th Chief of Air Staff after the retirement of acting Air Chief Amar Preet Singh on 31 October. Dixit currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff.
“I am directed to convey the President’s assent to the appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM as the next Chief of the Air Staff in the effective rank of Air Chief Marshal with effect from the afternoon of October 31, 2026, for a term of office up to December 31, 2028,” read the Ministry of Defense Notification 2028.
Who is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit?
Air Marshal Dixit played an important role in the development and evolution of the original Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and several other aviation programs. His experience is expected to boost the government’s focus on Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance in defence, news agency ANI reported.
Born on December 9, 1966, Dixit joined the fighter jet stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. In nearly four decades of service, he held several operational, training and senior command positions.
He has experience flying several types of aircraft including Mirage-2000, various variants of MiG, Jaguar, Kiran, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas, according to ANI.
Dixit is also an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor. So his career included both operational flying and testing new aircraft and their capabilities.
Air Marshal participated in several important military operations and exercises including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.
Prior to assuming the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Dixit served as the Chief of the Integrated Defense Staff to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Command’s Integrated Defense Staff.
He previously headed the Central Air Command as its Air Force Commander-in-Chief. The command is among the major operational commands of the Indian Air Force.
The government has credited his service in various meetings with helping to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
Dixit received several military awards during his career. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, followed by the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011. He received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The Param Vishisht Seva Medal is among India’s highest military awards for distinguished service.
Dixit studied at the National Defense Academy, the Defense Services Staff College and the National Defense College.
