The Indian government has announced the appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the next Chief of the Air Staff. He will be promoted to the substantive rank of Air Chief Marshal and is scheduled to assume his new role on the afternoon of October 31, 2026. His tenure in the position is set to continue until December 31, 2028.
The official notification confirming the appointment stated, “I am directed to convey the approval of the President for appointment of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM as the next Chief of the Air Staff in the substantive rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from the afternoon of 31st October, 2026, with a tenure upto 31st December, 2028.”
Air Marshal Dixit brings extensive experience to the role, having been commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. Throughout his career, he has accumulated over 3,500 hours of flying time. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, he is widely recognized for his contributions to the induction and development of indigenous aviation projects, including the LCA Tejas.
Industry observers anticipate that under his leadership, the Air Force will maintain its focus on the government’s 'Aatmanirbharta' initiative, which prioritizes self-reliance in the defense sector.
