Chief of the Air Staff (India): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Leader of the Indian Air Force}}
{{short description|Chief leader of the Indian Air Force}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
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| insigniacaption =  
| insigniacaption =  
| flag = Flag of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.svg
| flag = Flag of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.svg
| flagsize = 150px
| flagsize =  
| flagborder = yes
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of the Chief of the Air Staff
| flagcaption = Flag of the Chief of the Air Staff
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| imagesize =  
| imagesize =  
| alt =  
| alt =  
| incumbent = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Vivek Ram Chaudhari]], <br>{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}}
| incumbent = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Vivek Ram Chaudhari]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}}
| acting =  
| acting =  
| incumbentsince = 30 September 2021
| incumbentsince = 30 September 2021
| department = {{air force|India}}
| department = {{air force|India}}
| style =  
| style =  
| type =
| type = Leader and Commanding Officer of the Air Force
| status = Leader and Commanding Officer of the Air Force
| status =
| abbreviation = CAS
| abbreviation = CAS
| member_of = [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
| member_of = [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
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| precursor = Air Officer Commanding, [[Royal Indian Air Force]]
| precursor = Air Officer Commanding, [[Royal Indian Air Force]]
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1950|01|26}}
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1950|01|26}}
| first = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Sir]] [[Thomas Elmhirst]]
| first = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Sir [[Thomas Elmhirst]]
| last =  
| last =  
| abolished =  
| abolished =  
| succession =  
| succession =  
| unofficial_names =  
| unofficial_names =  
| deputy = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]]
| deputy = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| salary = {{INRConvert|250000}} monthly<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report">{{cite web|url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|title=Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India|publisher=Seventh Central [[Pay Commission]], [[Government of India]]|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":India Today 7CPC">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/7th-pay-commission-cleared-what-is-pay-commission-how-does-it-effect-our-pockets/1/703452.html|title=7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?|date=June 29, 2016|editor-last=Biswas|editor-first=Shreya|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=September 24, 2017}}</ref>
| salary = {{INRConvert|250000}} monthly<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report">{{cite web|url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|title=Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India|publisher=Seventh Central [[Pay Commission]], [[Government of India]]|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":India Today 7CPC">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/7th-pay-commission-cleared-what-is-pay-commission-how-does-it-effect-our-pockets/1/703452.html|title=7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?|date=June 29, 2016|editor-last=Biswas|editor-first=Shreya|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=September 24, 2017}}</ref>
| website = [https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/chief-air-staff Official website]
| website = [https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/chief-air-staff Official website]
}}
}}


The '''Chief of the Air Staff (India)''', known also as the '''Air Force Chief''', is the [[chief of staff|chief commanding authority]] and head air marshal of the [[Indian Air Force]]. The COAS is the most senior member of the Air Force, and is usually the highest ranking air officer of the [[Indian Armed Forces ]] unless the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence]] is an officer of the aerial branch. The office holder is the chief adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] on aerial affairs and heads the military staff of the Indian Air Force.
The '''Chief of the Air Staff (India)''', known also as the '''Air Force Chief''', has been the title of the professional head of the [[Indian Air Force]] since 1950. The CAS is a statutory position in the [[Indian Armed Forces]] held by the most senior officer of the Air Force, and is usually the highest ranking air officer of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] unless the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] is an officer of the aerial branch.  


The current CAS is [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Vivek Ram Chaudhari]] who took office on 30 September 2021, following the retirement of [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quint |first1=The |title=Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari To Be Next Chief of Air Staff |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-to-be-next-chief-of-air-staff |access-date=21 September 2021 |work=TheQuint |date=21 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
The current CAS is [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Vivek Ram Chaudhari]] who took office on 30 September 2021, following the retirement of [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quint |first1=The |title=Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari To Be Next Chief of Air Staff |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-to-be-next-chief-of-air-staff |access-date=21 September 2021 |work=TheQuint |date=21 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
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==Appointees==
==Appointees==
{{See also|RAF India#Commanders}}
{{For|all air chiefs of the Royal Air Force in British India|RAF India#Commanders}} {{For|all air chiefs of the Royal Indian Air Force (the pre-1950 Air Force)|Royal Indian Air Force#Commanders}}
 
The following tables chronicle the appointees to the office of the Chief of the Air Staff or its preceding positions since the [[independence of India]].<ref name=br-airchiefs>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Chiefs.html|title=Chiefs of Air Staff|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=18 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226085208/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Chiefs.html|archive-date=26 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


(**''Seconded from the [[Royal Air Force]]'')
(**''Seconded from the [[Royal Air Force]]'')


===Air Marshal Commanding, Royal Indian Air Force (1947–1948)===
===Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force (1950–1955)===
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Name
| showtermlenght    = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 1
| image            =
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal]]
| officeholder      = [[Thomas Elmhirst|Sir Thomas]] {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=75%|sep=,|CB|KBE|AFC}}
| officeholder_sort = Elmhirst, Thomas
| officeholder_note = {{efn|name=RAF}}
| born_year        = 1895
| died_year        = 1982
| term_start        = 15 August 1947
| term_end          = 20 June 1948
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1947|08|15|1948|06|20}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
 
===Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Air Force (1948–1950)===
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Name
| showtermlenght    = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 1
| image            =
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal]]
| officeholder      = [[Thomas Elmhirst|Sir Thomas Elmhirst]] {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=75%|sep=,|CB|KBE|AFC}}
| officeholder_sort = Elmhirst, Thomas
| officeholder_note = {{efn|name=RAF}}
| born_year        = 1895
| died_year        = 1982
| term_start        = 21 June 1948
| term_end          = 25 January 1950
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1948|06|21|1950|01|25}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}
 
===Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force (1950–1955)===
{{Officeholder table start
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showorder          = y
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 4
| order            = 1
| image            = SubrotoMukherjee.jpg
| image            = SubrotoMukherjee.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 5
| order            = 2
| image            = Air Marshal Aspy Engineer.jpg
| image            = Air Marshal Aspy Engineer.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 6
| order            = 3
| image            = Marshal Arjan Singh.jpg
| image            = Marshal Arjan Singh.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] <!-- Elevated to MoIAF, 33 years after his retirement, however was promoted to ACM during his tenure -->
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] <!-- Elevated to MoIAF, 33 years after his retirement, however was promoted to ACM during his tenure -->
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 7
| order            = 4
| image            = ACM PC Lal.jpg
| image            = ACM PC Lal.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 240: Line 188:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 8
| order            = 5
| image            = ACM OP Mehra.jpg
| image            = ACM OP Mehra.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 252: Line 200:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 9
| order            = 6
| image            = ACM H Moolgavkar.jpg
| image            = ACM H Moolgavkar.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 264: Line 212:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 10
| order            = 7
| image            = ACM IH Latif.jpg
| image            = ACM IH Latif.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 276: Line 224:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 11
| order            = 8
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| officeholder     = [[Dilbagh Singh]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}
| officeholder       = [[Dilbagh Singh]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}
| officeholder_sort = Singh, Dilbagh  
| officeholder_sort   = Singh, Dilbagh  
| born_year        = 1926
| born_year        = 1926
| died_year        = 2001
| died_year        = 2001
| term_start        = 1 September 1981
| term_start        = 1 September 1981
| term_end          = 3 September 1984
| term_end          = 3 September 1984
| timeinoffice     = {{ayd|1981|09|01|1984|09|03}}
| timeinoffice       = {{ayd|1981|09|01|1984|09|03}}
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 12
| order            = 9
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| officeholder     = [[Lakshman Madhav Katre]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}
| officeholder       = [[Lakshman Madhav Katre]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM}}
| officeholder_sort = Katre, Lakshman  
| officeholder_sort   = Katre, Lakshman  
| born_year        = 1926
| born_year        = 1926
| died_year        = 1985
| died_year        = 1985
Line 298: Line 246:
| term_start        = 3 September 1984
| term_start        = 3 September 1984
| term_end          = 1 July 1985
| term_end          = 1 July 1985
| timeinoffice     = {{ayd|1984|09|03|1985|07|01}}
| timeinoffice       = {{ayd|1984|09|03|1985|07|01}}
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 13
| order            = 10
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| officeholder     = [[Denis La Fontaine|Denis Anthony La Fontaine]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}
| officeholder       = [[Denis La Fontaine|Denis Anthony La Fontaine]] {{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|PVSM|AVSM|VM}}
| officeholder_sort = Fontaine, Denis  
| officeholder_sort   = Fontaine, Denis  
| born_year        = 1929
| born_year        = 1929
| died_year        = 2011
| died_year        = 2011
| term_start        = 3 July 1985
| term_start        = 3 July 1985
| term_end          = 31 July 1988
| term_end          = 31 July 1988
| timeinoffice     = {{ayd|1985|07|03|1988|07|31}}
| timeinoffice       = {{ayd|1985|07|03|1988|07|31}}
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 14
| order            = 11
| image            = ACM S K Mehra.jpg
| image            = ACM S K Mehra.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 325: Line 273:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 15
| order            = 12
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 16
| order            = 13
| image            = ACM SK Kaul.jpg
| image            = ACM SK Kaul.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 17
| order            = 14
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 18
| order            = 15
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 19
| order            = 16
| image            = ACM S Krishnaswamy.jpg
| image            = ACM S Krishnaswamy.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 385: Line 333:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 20
| order            = 17
| image            =  
| image            =  
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 21
| order            = 18
| image            = Fali Homi Major.JPG
| image            = Fali Homi Major.JPG
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 22
| order            = 19
| image            = The Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force UK, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton handing over Memento to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik on goodwill visit to UK, from March 15 to March 18, 2010 (cropped).jpg
| image            = The Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force UK, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton handing over Memento to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik on goodwill visit to UK, from March 15 to March 18, 2010 (cropped).jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 421: Line 369:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 23
| order            = 20
| image            = Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| image            = Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 433: Line 381:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 24
| order            = 21
| image            = ACM Arup Raha.jpg
| image            = ACM Arup Raha.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 25
| order            = 22
| image            = ACM BS Dhanoa.jpg
| image            = ACM BS Dhanoa.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
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}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 26
| order            = 23
| image            = Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC took over as the Chief of the Air Staff on 30 September 2019.jpg
| image            = Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC took over as the Chief of the Air Staff on 30 September 2019.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
Line 469: Line 417:
}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
{{Officeholder table
| order            = 27
| order            = 24
| image            = Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| image            = Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_rank    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]

Latest revision as of 00:42, 26 November 2022


Chief of the Air Staff
Flag of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.svg
Flag of the Chief of the Air Staff
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
Incumbent
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
since 30 September 2021
 Indian Air Force
TypeLeader and Commanding Officer of the Air Force
AbbreviationCAS
Member ofNational Security Council
Reports toFlag of India.svgPrime Minister
Flag of the Ministry of Defence of India.svgMinister of Defence
Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svgChief of Defence Staff
SeatCentral Secretariat
AppointerAppointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
Term length3 years or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
Constituting instrumentAir Force Act, 1950 (Act No. 45 of 1950)
PrecursorAir Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Air Force
Formation26 January 1950; 75 years ago (1950-01-26)
First holderAir Marshal Sir Thomas Elmhirst
DeputyVice Chief of the Air Staff
Salary₹250,000 (US$2,900) monthly[1][2]
WebsiteOfficial website

The Chief of the Air Staff (India), known also as the Air Force Chief, has been the title of the professional head of the Indian Air Force since 1950. The CAS is a statutory position in the Indian Armed Forces held by the most senior officer of the Air Force, and is usually the highest ranking air officer of the Indian Armed Forces unless the Chief of Defence Staff is an officer of the aerial branch.

The current CAS is Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who took office on 30 September 2021, following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.[3]

Office of the Chief of Air Staff[edit]

At Independence, the head of the Air Force designated as the "Air Marshal Commanding, Royal Indian Air Force". On 1 March 1948, the title of "Chief of the Air Staff" was added,[4] with a further re-designation to "Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Air Force" on 21 June to maintain uniformity across the three armed services.[5]

The "Royal" designation was dropped when India became a republic on 26 January 1950. Thus re-designating the head of IAF to "Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force".

The Commanders-In-Chief (Change in Designation) Act, 1955 re-designated the head of IAF to "Chief of Air Staff". The position was held by a three-star ranked Air Marshal until 1966, when the position was upgraded to the four-star rank of an Air Chief Marshal.

Appointments to the office are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The CAS reaches superannuation upon three years in the office or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

Appointees[edit]

For all air chiefs of the Royal Air Force in British India, see RAF India § Commanders.
For all air chiefs of the Royal Indian Air Force (the pre-1950 Air Force), see Royal Indian Air Force § Commanders.

(**Seconded from the Royal Air Force)

Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force (1950–1955)[edit]

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office
1
Sir Thomas Elmhirst Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Elmhirst, ThomasAir Marshal
Sir Thomas Elmhirst Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1895–1982)
[lower-alpha 1][6]		26 January 195023 February 195028 days
2
Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Ivelaw-Chapman, RonaldAir Marshal
Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1899–1978)
[lower-alpha 1]		23 February 19509 December 19511 year, 289 days
3
Gerald Ernest Gibbs Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Gibbs, GeraldAir Marshal
Gerald Ernest Gibbs Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1896–1992)
[lower-alpha 1]		10 December 195131 March 19542 years, 111 days
4
Subroto Mukerjee Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Mukerjee, SubrotoAir Marshal
Subroto Mukerjee Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1911–1960)		1 April 195431 March 19551 year, 0 days

Chief of the Air Staff (1955–present)[edit]

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office
1
Subroto Mukerjee Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Mukerjee, SubrotoAir Marshal
Subroto Mukerjee Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1911–1960)		1 April 19558 November 1960 †5 years, 221 days
2
Aspy Merwan Engineer Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Engineer, AspyAir Marshal
Aspy Merwan Engineer Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1912–2002)		1 December 196031 July 19643 years, 243 days
3
Arjan Singh Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Singh, ArjanAir Chief Marshal
Arjan Singh Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1919–2017)		1 August 196415 July 19694 years, 348 days
4
Pratap Chandra Lal Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
Lal, PratapAir Chief Marshal
Pratap Chandra Lal Lua error: expandTemplate: template "post-nominals/UK" does not exist.
(1916–1982)		16 July 196915 January 19733 years, 184 days
5
Om Prakash Mehra PVSM
Mehra, OmAir Chief Marshal
Om Prakash Mehra PVSM
(1919–2015)		16 January 197331 January 19763 years, 15 days
6
Hrushikesh Moolgavkar PVSM, MVC
Moolgavkar, HrushikeshAir Chief Marshal
Hrushikesh Moolgavkar PVSM, MVC
(1920–2015)		1 February 197630 August 19782 years, 241 days
7
Idris Hasan Latif PVSM
Latif, IdrisAir Chief Marshal
Idris Hasan Latif PVSM
(1923–2018)		1 September 197830 August 19813 years, 29 days
8
Dilbagh Singh PVSM, AVSM, VM
Singh, DilbaghAir Chief Marshal
Dilbagh Singh PVSM, AVSM, VM
(1926–2001)		1 September 19813 September 19843 years, 2 days
9
Lakshman Madhav Katre PVSM, AVSM
Katre, LakshmanAir Chief Marshal
Lakshman Madhav Katre PVSM, AVSM
(1926–1985)		3 September 19841 July 1985 †301 days
10
Denis Anthony La Fontaine PVSM, AVSM, VM
Fontaine, DenisAir Chief Marshal
Denis Anthony La Fontaine PVSM, AVSM, VM
(1929–2011)		3 July 198531 July 19883 years, 28 days
11
Surinder Kumar Mehra PVSM, AVSM, VM
Mehra, SurinderAir Chief Marshal
Surinder Kumar Mehra PVSM, AVSM, VM
(1932–2003)		1 August 198831 July 19912 years, 364 days
12
Nirmal Chandra Suri PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Suri, NirmalAir Chief Marshal
Nirmal Chandra Suri PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1933)		31 July 199131 July 19932 years, 0 days
13
Swaroop Krishna Kaul PVSM, MVC, ADC
Kaul, SwaroopAir Chief Marshal
Swaroop Krishna Kaul PVSM, MVC, ADC
(born 1935)		1 August 199331 December 19952 years, 152 days
14
Satish Kumar Sareen PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Sareen, SatishAir Chief Marshal
Satish Kumar Sareen PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1939)		31 December 199531 December 19983 years, 0 days
15
Anil Yashwant Tipnis PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Tipnis, AnilAir Chief Marshal
Anil Yashwant Tipnis PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1940)		31 December 199831 December 20013 years, 0 days
16
Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy PVSM, AVSM, VM
Krishnaswamy, SrinivasapuramAir Chief Marshal
Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy PVSM, AVSM, VM
(born 1943)		31 December 200131 December 20043 years, 0 days
17
Shashindra Pal Tyagi PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Tyagi, ShashindraAir Chief Marshal
Shashindra Pal Tyagi PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1945)		31 December 200431 March 20072 years, 90 days
18
Fali Homi Major PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC
Major, FaliAir Chief Marshal
Fali Homi Major PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC
(born 1947)		31 March 200731 May 20092 years, 61 days
19
Pradeep Vasant Naik PVSM, VSM, ADC
Naik, PradeepAir Chief Marshal
Pradeep Vasant Naik PVSM, VSM, ADC
(born 1949)		31 May 200931 July 20112 years, 61 days
20
Norman Anil Kumar Browne PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Browne, NormanAir Chief Marshal
Norman Anil Kumar Browne PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1951)		31 July 201131 December 20132 years, 153 days
21
Arup Raha PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Raha, ArupAir Chief Marshal
Arup Raha PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1954)		31 December 201331 December 20163 years, 0 days
22
Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM, ADC
Dhanoa, BirenderAir Chief Marshal
Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM, ADC
(born 1957)		31 December 201630 September 20192 years, 273 days
23
Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Bhadauria, RakeshAir Chief Marshal
Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1959)		30 September 201930 September 20212 years, 0 days
24
Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Chaudhari, Vivek RamAir Chief Marshal
Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
(born 1962)		30 September 2021Incumbent3 years, 155 days

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Seconded from the Royal Air Force

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India" (PDF). Seventh Central Pay Commission, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Biswas, Shreya, ed. (29 June 2016). "7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?". India Today. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  3. ↑ Quint, The (21 September 2021). "Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari To Be Next Chief of Air Staff". TheQuint. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "Press Communique" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 28 February 1948. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "Press Communique" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 21 June 1948. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  6. ↑ Chiefs of the Indian Air Force 1947 to Present Archived 26 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine

External links[edit]

Template:Chief of the air force by country

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