Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, New Delhi, on 01 May 2025. He succeeds Lieutenant General JP Mathew, who superannuated on 30 April 2025 after a distinguished career. To mark the occasion, Air Marshal Dixit paid homage to the nation’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. He also reviewed a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.
With nearly four decades of exemplary service in the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Dixit brings with him a wealth of operational, instructional, and strategic experience. He has been decorated with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), and the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the force and the nation.
Prior to his appointment as CISC, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Central Air Command, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening operational preparedness and fostering synergy among the tri-services in the northern and central sectors of India.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Defence Services Staff College, Bangladesh; and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a highly respected Experimental Test Pilot, having logged over 3,300 hours of flying across more than 20 aircraft types, including the Mirage-2000, MiG-21, and Jaguar.
His leadership in key operational and technical roles has left a lasting impact. As the Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bengaluru, he played a central role in several indigenous aircraft upgrade programs, including avionics advancements for the Jaguar and MiG-27 fleets. He also commanded a premier Fighter Training Base in the southern sector, under whose leadership the base earned top honours in its command.
As Director of Air Staff Requirements, Air Marshal Dixit was instrumental in the planning and execution of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) trials, contributing significantly to India’s future airpower capabilities.
Known for his professionalism, technical acumen, and visionary leadership, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit now leads the Integrated Defence Staff at a crucial juncture in India’s defence modernization and joint operational readiness.
INdianBureaucracy.com wishes Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit the very best.
