Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed next chief of Indian Air Force
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on October 31, with the leadership handover scheduled for the same day Singh retires.
By Hushread Stories, written with AI from 8 outlets · First published 6 Oct 2026
In brief
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next chief of the Indian Air Force.
- Dixit will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, whose retirement is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
- The appointment was reported on October 6, with Dixit due to take over on October 31.
- Dixit joined the Indian Air Force fighter stream in December 1986 and has served for nearly four decades.
- An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Dixit has logged more than 3,500 hours of flying experience.
Timeline · 4 moments
Dixit scheduled to take over as Air Force chief
Times of India ↗Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh scheduled to retire
The Hindu ↗Dixit's appointment as next Air Force chief reported
Indian Express ↗Ashutosh Dixit born, according to his career profile
Mint ↗How it started
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit brings nearly four decades of service to his appointment as the next chief of the Indian Air Force. According to Mint, he has held operational, training and senior command positions during that career.
His background includes service as an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor. NDTV India reported that he has logged more than 3,500 flying hours and commanded both a Mirage 2000 squadron and a frontline fighter base in the Western sector.
How it unfolded
Dixit was born on December 9, 1966, and joined the Indian Air Force's fighter stream on December 6, 1986, according to Mint.
His service has included Operation Safed Sagar and Operation Rakshak, NDTV India reported. Mint also identified him as having served in Operation Sindoor. The supplied coverage does not give dates or detailed accounts of his responsibilities in those operations.
On October 6, 2026, Indian Express reported his appointment as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force. The Hindu identified the outgoing chief as Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is due to retire on October 31, 2026.
Where it stands
Dixit has been named as the next chief, but the handover is still ahead. According to Times of India, he will take over on October 31.
Business Line - Home reported that the transition will follow Singh's retirement that same day. The appointment and the assumption of command are therefore separate steps, with the latter scheduled for the end of the month.
What to watch
The next scheduled development is the October 31 handover, when Singh retires and Dixit takes over, according to Business Line - Home. The supplied coverage does not set out Dixit's priorities for his tenure.
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