Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, AVSM, VSM, PhD, AOM, retired from the Indian Air Force on August 31, 2026, bringing to a close a distinguished 37-year career. Marking the end of his service, the Air Marshal paid solemn homage to the Armed Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice at the National War Memorial.
Air Marshal Ghuratia was commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering stream of the Indian Air Force on September 12, 1988. Over the course of his career, he held several important command, technical and staff appointments, including assignments at Air Headquarters, Maintenance Command and No. 3 Base Repair Depot.
He served as Air Officer Commanding of No. 3 Base Repair Depot at Chandigarh from January 2019 to January 2021. He subsequently held the appointment of Air Commodore (Engineering Helicopter) at Air Headquarters and later served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Engineering B.
In June 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal and appointed Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at IAF Maintenance Command, Nagpur. He subsequently assumed the appointment of Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2025.
A distinguished aeronautical engineer, Air Marshal Ghuratia is also an alumnus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani. His academic background includes engineering studies at Government Engineering College, Jabalpur, along with further academic qualifications from BITS Pilani and the University of Madras. He also holds a doctorate from Bhopal University.
His association with BITS Pilani has been highlighted by the institution as part of his journey to senior leadership in the Indian Air Force. BITS Pilani congratulated him on his appointment as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance in September 2025, recognising his 37-year career, leadership responsibilities and service decorations. The institution described him as embodying the BITSian spirit of discipline, innovation and nation-building.
His professional education also includes the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Air Force Test Pilots School, Bengaluru, and Air Force Technical College, Bengaluru. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, London, the Aeronautical Society of India and the Institute of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Air Marshal Ghuratia’s career was marked by extensive expertise in aircraft engineering, flight testing, weapons and sensor integration, maintenance management and capability development. He served as Chief Engineering Officer at a flying base, Chief of Aircraft at a Base Repair Depot and Chief Engineering Officer with the United Nations Mission in Congo.
As a Flight Test Engineer, he contributed to several important weapon and sensor integration projects involving air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, helmet-mounted display systems and laser designator pods on fighter aircraft.
His technical contributions also included efforts to sustain helicopter operations in challenging high-altitude environments. During his tenure at Thoise, his initiative in reviving 50-hour servicing of Mi-17 IV helicopters helped preserve valuable flying hours for Operation Meghdoot. He also played a role in analysing recurring technical issues involving helicopter tail drive shafts, helping address potential safety risks.
He was instrumental in the recovery of the Indira Radar, which had remained stationary for years at a remote location at approximately 9,000 feet altitude, and in orchestrating the first on-site overhaul of the ST-68 radar. His leadership at a Base Repair Depot also enabled the overhaul of Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters despite challenges associated with the availability of critical spares.
At the Directorate of Air Staff Requirements, his technical expertise and project-management experience contributed to resolving complex procurement and capability-development issues, including work associated with the modernisation and induction of weapons and ground-based air defence systems.
During his assignment with the United Nations Mission in Congo, Air Marshal Ghuratia was commended by the UN Force Commander for his distinguished contribution, adding an international dimension to his long record of service.
For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 by the President of India.
With his retirement, the Indian Air Force bids farewell to a senior officer whose career combined engineering expertise, operational experience, technological innovation and leadership in aviation maintenance. His final tribute at the National War Memorial underscored the enduring bond between military service and remembrance of the nation’s fallen.
His journey from an engineering student and BITS Pilani alumnus to one of the Indian Air Force’s senior-most technical leaders stands as an example of how academic excellence, professional expertise and decades of dedicated service can combine in the service of the nation.
