Sshschool: Started some details nd citations.

2026-04-24T08:50:05Z

Started some details nd citations.

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{{Short description|Vice Chief of the Air Staff, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| name = Nagesh Kapoor
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|SYSM|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, VCAS.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| alt =
| caption =
| office = 50th [[Vice Chief of Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| term_start = 1 January 2026
| term_end =
| 1blankname = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| 1namedata = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
| predecessor = [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]]
| successor =
| office1 = [[South Western Air Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command]]
| term_start1 = 1 May 2025
| term_end1 = 31 December 2025
| 1blankname1 = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
| predecessor1 = [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]]
| successor1 = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
| office2 = [[Training Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command]]
| term_start2 = 1 May 2024
| term_end2 = 30 April 2025
| predecessor2 = [[Radhakrishnan Radhish]]
| successor2 = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
| birth_date = 
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| nickname =
| birth_place =
| allegiance = {{Country|India}}
| branch = {{Air force|India}}
| service_years = 6 December 1986 – Present
| rank = [[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|24px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| military_blank1 = [[Service number]]
| military_data1 = 18557 <ref name="nkapoor-brf">{{cite web|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/18557|title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor- BRF|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>
| unit = [[No. 35 Squadron IAF|No. 35 Squadron]]
| commands = {{plainlist|
* [[File:SWAC Emblem.png|17px]] [[South Western Air Command (India)|South Western Air Command]]
* [[File:Training Command, IAF.png|19px]] [[Training Command, Indian Air Force|Training Command]]
* Composite Battle Response and Analysis Group
* 2 Air Defence Control Centre
* [[Hindan Air Force Station|28 Wing]]
* [[File:IAF 27 Wing.png|20px]] [[Bhuj Rudra Mata Air Force Station|27 Wing]]
* [[No. 35 Squadron IAF|No. 35 Squadron]]
}}
| battles =
| battles_label =
| military_blank2 = Awards
| military_data2 = {{plainlist|
* [[File:Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vayu Sena Medal]]
}}
| spouse =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
| website =
| other_name =
| memorials =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| module =
| alma_mater =
}}

[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Nagesh Kapoor''', [[SYSM]], [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]] is a serving [[air officer]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He is currently serving as the 50th [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=1 January 2026 |title=AIR MARSHAL NAGESH KAPOOR SYSM PVSM AVSM VM TAKES OVER AS VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF, INDIAN AIR FORCE |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2210450&reg=3&lang=2 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> He was previously serving as the [[South Western Air Command|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/air-marshal-nagesh-kapoor-takes-charge-as-aoc-in-c-of-sw-air-command-125050101121_1.html|title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes charge as AOC-in-C of SW Air Command|work=Business Standard|date=2025-05-01}}</ref> prior to that he served as the [[Training Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command]].<ref name="PIB2024">{{cite web |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Takes Over as AOC-in-C Training Command |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2019284 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=1 May 2024 |accessdate=5 January 2025}}</ref> He earlier served as the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes over as Air Officer–in–Charge Personnel |url=https://www.spsmai.com/appointments/?id=255&q=Air-Marshal-Nagesh-Kapoor-takes-over-as-Air-Officer-in-Charge-Personnel |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.spsmai.com}}</ref> and as the Senior Air Staff Officer, [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 Sep 2023 |title=AIR MARSHAL NAGESH KAPOOR TAKES OVER AS AIR OFFICER-IN-CHARGE PERSONNEL |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1954109&reg=3&lang=2 |access-date=8 Dec 2025 |website=PIB}}</ref>
[[File:AMNK2.jpg|thumb|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Nagesh Kapoor as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]]]
[[File:AMNK1.jpg|thumb|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Nagesh Kapoor assuming charge as the [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command]]]]

== Early life and education ==
The [[Air officer]] is an alumnus of the [[National Defence Academy]], Khadakwasla and the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal. He is also an alumnus of the [[Defence Services Staff College]], Wellington and the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]], [[New Delhi]].<ref name="SSBCrack">{{cite web |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Assumes Command of IAF's Training Command |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2024/05/air-marshal-nagesh-kapoor-assumes-command-of-iafs-training-command.html |publisher=SSBCrack |date=2 May 2024 |accessdate=5 January 2025}}</ref>

== Military career ==
He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the [[Indian Air Force]] on 6 December 1986 from the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1987/O-0673-1987-0034-30033.pdf |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=egazette.gov.in |page=47}}</ref> In a career spanning over three decades, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience across various fighter jets and has held numerous field & instructional appointments. He is a highly experienced fighter pilot, qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader who has flown a variety of combat and trainer aircraft and has flown all variants of MiG-21 and the MiG-29. The Air Marshal's operational tenures include being the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. He has done instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]] and Directing Staff at the [[Defence Services Staff College]], Wellington. During his tenure at [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK Il aircraft in the IAF. He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as Defence Attaché, Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2024-05-02 |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumes office |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/air-marshal-nagesh-kapoor-assumes-office-876001 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

As an [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]], he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Ops, Strategy) at the Air headquarters, [[New Delhi]], as the [[Air officer commanding|Air Officer Commanding]] of 2 Air Defence Control Centre at [[Gandhinagar]] and as the [[Air officer commanding|Air Officer Commanding]] of the Composite Battle Response and Analysis Group.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Service Record for Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor 18557 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/18557 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>

After being promoted to the rank of [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2024/253332.pdf |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=egazette.gov.in |page=68 |pages=}}</ref> he was appointed as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]] at [[Prayagraj]]. A year later on 1 September 2023, he took over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel.<ref name=":0" /> On 1 May 2024, [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Nagesh Kapoor took over as the [[Training Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes over as AOC–in–C Training Command |url=https://www.sps-aviation.com/appointments/?id=475&h=Air-Marshal-Nagesh-Kapoor-takes-over-as-AOC-in-C-Training-Command |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.sps-aviation.com}}</ref> A year later, on 1 May 2025, he took over as the [[South Western Air Command|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command]] succeeding [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]] who moved to the Air Headquarters as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-05-01 |title=Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes charge as AOC-in-C of South Western Air Command |url=https://theprint.in/india/air-marshal-nagesh-kapoor-takes-charge-as-aoc-in-c-of-south-western-air-command/2611912/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> He relinquished the command of [[South Western Air Command]] on 31 December 2025.

On 1 January 2026, [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Nagesh Kapoor took over as the 50th [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] succeeding [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]] when the latter superannuated on 31 December 2025.<ref name=":2" />

== Awards and decorations ==
During his career, the air marshal has been awarded the [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]] on Independence Day 2025 for his role during [[2025 India–Pakistan conflict|Operation Sindoor]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=PIB Delhi}}</ref> the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on Republic Day 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 11 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096200 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2022<ref>{{cite press release |title=President approves 384 Gallantry Awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day |date=2022-01-25 |publisher=PIB |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792624}}</ref> and the [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2008.<ref name="iaf-swac">{{cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=AOC-in-C-SWAC |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/south-western-air-command/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505144628/https://indianairforce.nic.in/south-western-air-command/ |archive-date=2023-05-05 |publisher=Indian Air Force}}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|[[File:IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Special_Service_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_High_Altitude_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Videsh_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_50th_Anniversary_Independence_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Vayu Sena Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
| [[Special Service Medal (India)|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[50th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}

== Dates of ranks ==
{| class="wikitable" style="background:white"
!Insignia
!Rank
!Component
!Date of rank
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-1a.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Pilot Officer]]
|Indian Air Force
|6 December 1986<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-1b.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Flying officer|Flying Officer]]
|Indian Air Force
|6 December 1987<ref name=":1" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-2.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Flight Lieutenant]]
|Indian Air Force
|6 December 1991<ref>{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1992/O-0469-1992-0032-18767.pdf |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=egazette.gov.in |page=23}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-3.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Squadron Leader]]
|Indian Air Force
|6 December 1997<ref name=":1" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-4.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]
|Indian Air Force
|5 May 2003<ref name=":1" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-5.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Group Captain]]
|Indian Air Force
|1 March 2009<ref name=":1" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-6.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]]
|Indian Air Force
|17 June 2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2014/160676.pdf |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=egazette.gov.in |page=41}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-7.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]]
|Indian Air Force
|11 June 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch) |url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2019/213976.pdf |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=egazette.gov.in |page=33}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-8.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
|Indian Air Force
|22 August 2022<ref name=":4" />
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]]
| years = 1 January 2026 – Present
| before = [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]]
| after = ''Incumbent''
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[South Western Air Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command]]
| years = 1 May 2025 – 31 December 2025
| before = [[Narmdeshwar Tiwari]]
| after = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Training Command (India)|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command]]
| years = 1 May 2024 – 30 April 2025
| before = [[Radhakrishnan Radhish]]
| after = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
}}{{Succession box
| title = Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel
| years = 1 September 2023 - 30 April 2024
| before = [[Suraj Kumar Jha]]
| after = Sunil Kashinath Vidhate
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Senior Air Staff Officer [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]]
| years = 22 August 2022 – 31 August 2023
| before = [[Ravi Gopal Krishana Kapoor]]
| after = [[Awadhesh Kumar Bharti]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kapoor, Nagesh}}
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vayu Sena Medal]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Nagesh Kapoor - Revision history

Sshschool: Started some details nd citations.