List of Air Chief Marshal of India 1947 To 2026
Complete History of Indian Air Force Chiefs
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is one of the strongest and most respected air forces in the world. Since India’s independence, several distinguished officers have led the Indian Air Force as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), commonly known as the Air Chief Marshal of India.
These leaders played a major role in strengthening India’s air power, modernizing fighter fleets, improving national security, and leading the Air Force during important military operations.
In this article, we will explore the complete list of Air Chief Marshals of India, their tenure, roles, and contributions to the Indian Air Force.
Who is the Air Chief Marshal of India?
he Air Chief Marshal is the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Air Force and serves as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
Main Responsibilities:
- Leading the Indian Air Force
- Planning air operations
- Managing national air security
- Modernizing air defence systems
- Advising the Government on air warfare and defence matters
The Air Chief Marshal is a four-star officer rank in the Indian Armed Forces.
Current Chief of the Air Staff
As of 2026, the current Chief of the Air Staff is:
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
He assumed office in 2024 and is responsible for leading and modernizing the Indian Air Force.
Complete List of Air Chiefs of India 1947 to 2026
| No. | Name | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Thomas Elmhirst | 1947 – 1950 |
| 2 | Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman | 1950 – 1951 |
| 3 | Sir Gerald Ernest Gibbs | 1951 – 1954 |
| 4 | Subroto Mukerjee | 1954 – 1960 |
| 5 | Aspy Engineer | 1960 – 1964 |
| 6 | Arjan Singh | 1964 – 1969 |
| 7 | P. C. Lal | 1969 – 1973 |
| 8 | O. P. Mehra | 1973 – 1976 |
| 9 | H. Moolgavkar | 1976 – 1978 |
| 10 | I. H. Latif | 1978 – 1981 |
| 11 | Dilbagh Singh | 1981 – 1984 |
| 12 | Lakshman Madhav Katre | 1984 – 1985 |
| 13 | Denis Anthony La Fontaine | 1985 – 1988 |
| 14 | Surinder Kumar Mehra | 1988 – 1991 |
| 15 | Nirmal Chandra Suri | 1991 – 1993 |
| 16 | Swaroop Krishna Kaul | 1993 – 1995 |
| 17 | Satish Kumar Sareen | 1995 – 1998 |
| 18 | Anil Yashwant Tipnis | 1998 – 2001 |
| 19 | Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy | 2001 – 2004 |
| 20 | Shashindra Pal Tyagi | 2004 – 2007 |
| 21 | Fali Homi Major | 2007 – 2009 |
| 22 | Pradeep Vasant Naik | 2009 – 2011 |
| 23 | Norman Anil Kumar Browne | 2011 – 2013 |
| 24 | Arup Raha | 2013 – 2016 |
| 25 | Birender Singh Dhanoa | 2016 – 2019 |
| 26 | Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria | 2019 – 2021 |
| 27 | Vivek Ram Chaudhari | 2021 – 2024 |
| 28 | Amar Preet Singh | 2024 – Present |
Notable Air Chiefs in Indian History
Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh
One of the greatest leaders in Indian Air Force history.
Achievements:
- Led the IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak War
- Awarded the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force
- Known for exceptional leadership and courage
Subroto Mukerjee
Known as the Father of the Indian Air Force.
Contributions:
- Played a key role in shaping the modern IAF
- First Indian Chief of Air Staff
Birender Singh Dhanoa
Known for leadership during:
- Balakot Air Strike
- Air modernization initiatives
Role of the Indian Air Force Chief
The Air Chief Marshal is responsible for:
✔ National air defence
✔ Air combat strategy
✔ Fighter aircraft modernization
✔ Training and operational readiness
✔ Disaster relief and humanitarian missions
Importance of the Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force protects the country from aerial threats and supports military operations through:
- Fighter jets
- Transport aircraft
- Helicopters
- Missile systems
- Surveillance operations
The IAF is among the most advanced air forces globally.
Modernization of the Indian Air Force
Under different Air Chiefs, the IAF has added:
- Rafale fighter jets
- Advanced missile systems
- Indigenous aircraft
- Modern radar systems
The Air Force continues to strengthen India’s defence capabilities.
The Air Chief Marshals of India have played a major role in building one of the world’s strongest air forces. From the early years after independence to today’s modern warfare era, these leaders have guided the Indian Air Force with courage, strategy, and dedication.
Their leadership continues to inspire future generations of defence aspirants and officers serving the nation.
FAQs - List of Air Chief Marshal of India
Who is the current Air Chief Marshal of India?
The current Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
Who was the first Indian Air Chief?
Subroto Mukerjee was the first Indian Chief of the Air Staff.
Who received the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force?
Arjan Singh is the only officer to receive this five-star rank.
What is the role of the Air Chief Marshal?
The Air Chief Marshal leads the Indian Air Force and oversees national air defence and operations.
How many Air Chiefs has India had?
India has had 28 Chiefs of the Air Staff since independence.