Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor.
On assuming office, Air Marshal Dixit paid homage to the nation’s Bravehearts at the National War Memorial before reviewing a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi.
Commissioned as a fighter pilot in December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is a distinguished experimental test pilot, qualified flying instructor and fighter combat leader with more than 3,300 hours of flying experience. During his illustrious career spanning nearly four decades, he has flown multiple aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Hawk, Kiran, AN-32, IL-78 and HPT-32, and has participated in Operation Rakshak and Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War.
Prior to his appointment as VCAS, he served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) from May 2025 to June 2026. Earlier, he held key appointments as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, and Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command. During his tenure as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he played a pivotal role in advancing the Indian Air Force’s modernisation initiatives and promoting indigenous defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Force Academy, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Dixit has commanded No. 9 Squadron, Air Force Station Bidar, and several frontline operational formations.
His distinguished service has been recognised with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
As the 51st Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is expected to further strengthen the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness, capability development and force modernisation while steering the service towards emerging technological and strategic challenges.
