Air Force Chief Marshal of India, Current Chief, List 1947-2026

The Air Force Chief Marshal of India refers to the four star rank of Air Chief Marshal in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) holds this rank and leads the country’s air defence organisation. The position involves strategic planning, operational leadership and ensuring the IAF’s preparedness to protect Indian airspace and support national security.

Air Force Chief Marshal of India

The Air Chief Marshal is the highest active commissioned rank in the Indian Air Force. The officer holding this rank as Chief of the Air Staff is responsible for the overall functioning, administration and operational direction of the force. The rank represents senior military leadership and plays an important role in India’s defence command structure.

Air Chief Marshal of India

The Air Force Chief Marshal of India is a four star rank in the Indian Air Force, equivalent to General in the Indian Army and Admiral in the Indian Navy. Its important features include:

• Rank: It is the highest active rank in the IAF, positioned above Air Marshal and below the five star Marshal of the Indian Air Force (ceremonial or wartime rank).
• Eligibility: The position is occupied by a senior IAF officer with extensive military experience, leadership capabilities and professional expertise in air operations and defence management.
• Insignia: The rank insignia features four stars and distinctive blue bands. The uniform also carries four sleeve stripes, while gorget patches display four white stars with oak leaves.
• Appointment: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by the Prime Minister, approves the appointment of the Chief of the Air Staff.
• Tenure: The Chief of the Air Staff serves for three years or until attaining 62 years of age, whichever occurs earlier.
• Order of Precedence: The Air Chief Marshal holds the 12th position in India’s order of precedence, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff and the chiefs of the Army (General) and Navy (Admiral).
• Highest Honour: Marshal of the Indian Air Force is the five star rank above Air Chief Marshal.

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Current Chief of Indian Air Force 2026

As of November 2026, the Current Chief of Indian Air Force is Ashutosh Dixit. He is the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Amar Preet Singh on October 31, 2026.

Important detailed related to the Current Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of Indian Air Force has been listed below:

• Name: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.
• Commissioning: He joined the Fighter Stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986.
• Flying Experience: He has operated aircraft such as Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG variants, Hawk and Tejas.
• Professional Expertise: He is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, with nearly four decades of military service.
• Key Appointments: Before becoming CAS, he served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Central Air Command and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.
• Operations: His operational experience includes Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor, along with Exercise Cope India.
• Awards: His military honours include the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023) and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).

List of Air Chief Marshal of India 2026

The List of Air Chief Marshal of India 2026 includes the successive heads of the Indian Air Force since Independence in 1947. The following table presents their names and respective tenures in chronological order: