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{{Short description|Former chief of the Indian Air Force}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix     = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| honorific_prefix   = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] (Retd.)
| name                = Arup Raha
| name                = Arup Raha
| native_name        = অরূপ রাহা
| native_name        = অরূপ রাহা
| native_name_lang    = bn
| native_name_lang    = bn
| honorific_suffix      = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]], [[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt.]]
| honorific_suffix      = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]
| image              = ACM Arup Raha.jpg
| image              = ACM Arup Raha.jpg
| caption            = Official portrait, 2014
| caption            = Official portrait, 2014
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|12|26}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 December 2013 |title=Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-31/india/45738689_1_iaf-chief-combat-development-establishment-air-marshal-arup-raha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101204421/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-31/india/45738689_1_iaf-chief-combat-development-establishment-air-marshal-arup-raha |archive-date=1 January 2014}}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|12|26}}
| spouse              = Lily Raha
| spouse              = Lily Raha
| children            = Anusree Raha
| children            = Atanu Raha, Anusree Raha
| office                = 54th [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| office                = 54th [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| term_start          = 31 July 2014
| term_start          = 31 July 2014
| term_end            = 31 December 2016
| term_end            = 31 December 2016
| president          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| president          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| primeminister      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor        = [[Bikram Singh (general, born 1952)|Bikram Singh]]
| predecessor        = [[Bikram Singh (general)|Bikram Singh]]
| successor          = [[Sunil Lanba]]
| successor          = [[Sunil Lanba]]
| office1              = 21st [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| office1              = 21st [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| term_start1        = 31 December 2013
| term_start1        = 31 December 2013<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 December 2013 |title=Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-31/india/45738689_1_iaf-chief-combat-development-establishment-air-marshal-arup-raha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101204421/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-31/india/45738689_1_iaf-chief-combat-development-establishment-air-marshal-arup-raha |archive-date=1 January 2014}}</ref>
| term_end1          = 31 December 2016
| term_end1          = 31 December 2016
| president1          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| president1          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| primeminister1      = [[Manmohan Singh]]<br />[[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor1        = [[Norman Anil Kumar Browne]]
| predecessor1        = [[Norman Anil Kumar Browne]]
| successor1          = [[Birender Singh Dhanoa]]
| successor1          = [[Birender Singh Dhanoa]]
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| term_end2          = 31 December 2013
| term_end2          = 31 December 2013
| president2          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| president2          = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| primeminister2      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor2        = Dinesh Chandra Kumaria
| predecessor2        = Dinesh Chandra Kumaria
| successor2          = Ravi Kant Sharma
| successor2          = Ravi Kant Sharma
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| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| branch              = {{air force|India}}
| branch              = {{air force|India}}
| serviceyears        = 1975–2016
| service_years      = 1975–2016
| rank                = [[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg|25px]] [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]<ref name=thehindu1>{{cite news|title=Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arup-raha-takes-over-as-iaf-chief/article5522301.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 December 2013|location=Chennai, India|date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
| rank                = [[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg|25px]] [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news|title=Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arup-raha-takes-over-as-iaf-chief/article5522301.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 December 2013|location=Chennai, India|date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
| commands            = [[Western Air Command]]<br />[[Central Air Command]]<br />[[Bathinda Airport|AFS Bathinda]] <br />[[Adampur Air Force Base|AFS Adampur]]<br />47 Squadron IAF
| commands            = [[Western Air Command]]<br />[[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]]<br />[[Bathinda Airport|AFS Bathinda]] <br />[[Adampur Air Force Base|AFS Adampur]]<br />47 Squadron IAF
| battles            = [[Kargil War]]
| battles            = [[Kargil War]]
| military_blank2    = Awards
| military_blank2    = Awards
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| image_size          = 220px
| image_size          = 220px
}}
}}
[[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Arup Raha''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]], [[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt.]] ([[Honorary degree|honorary]]) ({{lang-bn|অরূপ রাহা}}) was the 21st [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] and served from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016.<ref name=thehindu1>{{cite news|title=Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arup-raha-takes-over-as-iaf-chief/article5522301.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 December 2013|location=Chennai, India|date=31 December 2013}}</ref> He was also the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]], a post occupied by India's senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.<ref name="Chairman of COSC">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/422782/arup-raha-chief-staff.html |title=Arup Raha is new chief of staff|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-02/india/28120024_1_western-front-western-air-command-mig-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227063717/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-02/india/28120024_1_western-front-western-air-command-mig-29 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2013 |title=Arup Raha takes over as senior Air Staff Officer at WAC|date=2 April 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref>
'''Arup Raha''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]], ({{langx|bn|অরূপ রাহা}}) is an Indian Air Force veteran and was the 21st [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] and served from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016.<ref name="thehindu1"/> He was also the [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]], a post occupied by India's senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.<ref name="Chairman of COSC">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/422782/arup-raha-chief-staff.html |title=Arup Raha is new chief of staff|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-02/india/28120024_1_western-front-western-air-command-mig-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227063717/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-02/india/28120024_1_western-front-western-air-command-mig-29 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2013 |title=Arup Raha takes over as senior Air Staff Officer at WAC|date=2 April 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref> Currently, he is the [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of [[Assam University]].


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==


Raha was born in a [[Bengalis|Bengali]] family on 26 December 1954 in the city of [[Baidyabati]], an area under the [[Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority]] which is in the Indian State of [[West Bengal]]. His father was a reputed [[Physician|doctor]]. He was educated at [[Sainik School Purulia]] (1970 batch).<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2013 |title=Air Marshal Arup Raha to be IAF Chief |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jayanta Gupta|date=26 January 2012|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-26/kolkata/30666563_1_cadets-sainik-schools-ssb-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104022527/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-26/kolkata/30666563_1_cadets-sainik-schools-ssb-interview |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Sainik School in Purulia turns 50, Air Marshal to be chief guest|accessdate=23 June 2012}}</ref>
Raha was born in a [[Bengalis|Bengali]] [[Bengali Kayastha|Kayastha]] family on 26 December 1954 in the city of [[Baidyabati]], [[West Bengal]]. His father was a doctor. He was educated at [[Sainik School Purulia]] (1970 batch).<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2013 |title=Air Marshal Arup Raha to be IAF Chief |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jayanta Gupta|date=26 January 2012|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-26/kolkata/30666563_1_cadets-sainik-schools-ssb-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104022527/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-26/kolkata/30666563_1_cadets-sainik-schools-ssb-interview |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Sainik School in Purulia turns 50, Air Marshal to be chief guest|accessdate=23 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rohila |first=Naresh |date=5 June 2019 |title=Service Record for Arup Raha |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/13910#google_vignette |url-access=registration |url-status=live |website=Bharatrakshak.com}}</ref>


==Military training==
==Military training==
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==Military career==
==Military career==
Raha has flown a wide variety of combat and trainer aircraft. After initial training on the [[HAL HT-2]], he has flown the [[MIG-21]] and [[MIG-29]] aircraft and has commanded a [[MiG-29]] fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. As on 2 April 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.<ref name="toi1"/> Raha previously served as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]<ref name="VCOAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-take-over-as-iaf-vice-chief/article4866206.ece|title=Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> and as the [[Air officer commanding|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] (AOC-in-C) of the [[Western Air Command]],<ref name="CAC"/> and that of the [[Central Air Command]].<ref name="toi1" /> He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at [[Air Force Academy, Dundigul|Air Force Academy, Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=18 |title=Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile |access-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217061546/http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=18 |archive-date=17 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Raha has flown a wide variety of combat and trainer aircraft. After initial training on the [[HAL HT-2]], he has flown the [[MIG-21]] and [[MIG-29]] aircraft and has commanded a [[MiG-29]] fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. As on 2 April 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.<ref name="toi1"/> Raha previously served as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]<ref name="VCOAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-take-over-as-iaf-vice-chief/article4866206.ece|title=Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief|date=30 June 2013 |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> and as the [[Air officer commanding|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] (AOC-in-C) of the [[Western Air Command]],<ref name="CAC"/> and that of the [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]].<ref name="toi1" /> He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at [[Air Force Academy, Dundigul|Air Force Academy, Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=18 |title=Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile |access-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217061546/http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=18 |archive-date=17 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.  
Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.  
   
   
[[File:Air Chief calls on PM Modi on 3 June 2014 .jpg|250px|thumbnail|Air Chief calls on PM]]
[[File:Air Chief calls on PM Modi on 3 June 2014 .jpg|250px|thumbnail|Air Chief calls on PM [[Narendra Modi]]]]


===Notable appointments held===
===Notable appointments held===
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| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Marshal]]|| [[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|64x64px]]|| 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2013
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Marshal]]|| [[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|64x64px]]|| 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2013
|-
|-
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[Central Air Command]] of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Marshal]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|64x64px]]|| 2 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]] of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Marshal]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|64x64px]]|| 2 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012
|-
|-
| Senior Air Staff Officer at [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] || [[Air Vice Marshal]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-7.svg|64x64px]]|| till 1 Nov 2011
| Senior Air Staff Officer at [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] || [[Air Vice Marshal]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-7.svg|64x64px]]|| till 1 Nov 2011
|-
|-
| Directing Staff at [[Flying Instructors School (India)|Flying Instructors School,Tambaram]]|| [[Air Commodore]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-6.svg|64x64px]]||  Unknown  
| Directing Staff at [[Flying Instructors School (India)|Flying Instructors School, Tambaram]]|| [[Air Commodore]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-6.svg|64x64px]]||  Unknown  
|-
|-
| Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers || [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-4.svg|64x64px]]|| 8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994  
| Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers || [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]||[[File:Indian IAF OF-4.svg|64x64px]]|| 8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994  
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==


Arup Raha is married to Lily Raha and they have two children. The son, Atanu, is a commercial pilot who is married to Sanskriti Chatterjee Raha, a professional [[Kathakali]] dancer. The daughter, Anusree Raha, is an [[Indian Economic Service]] officer and a [[TEDx]] speaker, and is married to Bodhisattwa Biswas, an alumnus of [[Indian School of Business]].<ref>http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_exchief.php?pg_id=130&ch=24 {{Bare URL inline|date=April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ies.gov.in/myaccount-profile-view.php?memid=478 | title=Indian Economic Service }}</ref>
Arup Raha is married to Lily Raha and they have two children. The son, Atanu, is a commercial pilot who is married to Sanskriti Chatterjee Raha, a professional [[Kathakali]] dancer. The daughter, Anusree Raha, is an [[Indian Economic Service]] officer and a [[TEDx]] speaker, and is married to Bodhisattwa Biswas, an alumnus of [[Indian School of Business]].<ref>[http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_exchief.php?pg_id=130&ch=24 Indian Air Force] {{dead link|date=August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ies.gov.in/myaccount-profile-view.php?memid=478 | title=Indian Economic Service }}</ref>


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
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|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}
|}
In 2018, the state-run [[Sidho Kanho Birsha University]] awarded Arup Raha with an honorary [[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt.]] degree during its convocation ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aajkaal.in/news/state/dlit-for-arup-raha-gutx | title=Aajkaal: Bengali News, Bangla News, Breaking News in Bengali }}</ref>
In 2018, the state-run [[Sidho Kanho Birsha University]] awarded Arup Raha with an honorary [[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt.]] degree during its convocation ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aajkaal.in/news/state/dlit-for-arup-raha-gutx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029161659/https://www.aajkaal.in/news/state/dlit-for-arup-raha-gutx | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 October 2020 | title=Aajkaal: Bengali News, Bangla News, Breaking News in Bengali }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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| title = [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| title = [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]
| years = 31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016
| years = 31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016
| before = [[Bikram Singh (general)|Bikram Singh]]
| before = [[Bikram Singh (general, born 1952)|Bikram Singh]]
| after = [[Sunil Lanba]]
| after = [[Sunil Lanba]]
}}
}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Raha, Arup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raha, Arup}}
[[Category:Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Military personnel from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Sainik School alumni]]
[[Category:Sainik School alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Air Force Academy (India) alumni]]

Latest revision as of 07:22, 23 March 2026


Arup Raha
অরূপ রাহা
Official portrait, 2014
54th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office
31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Preceded byBikram Singh
Succeeded bySunil Lanba
21st Chief of Air Staff
In office
31 December 2013[1] – 31 December 2016
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Preceded byNorman Anil Kumar Browne
Succeeded byBirender Singh Dhanoa
37th Vice Chief of Air Staff
In office
1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Preceded byDinesh Chandra Kumaria
Succeeded byRavi Kant Sharma
Personal details
Born (1954-12-26) 26 December 1954 (age 71)
Baidyabati, West Bengal, India
Spouse(s)Lily Raha
ChildrenAtanu Raha, Anusree Raha
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Air Force
Rank Air Chief Marshal[2]
CommandsWestern Air Command
Central Air Command
AFS Bathinda
AFS Adampur
47 Squadron IAF
Battles/warsKargil War
Awards

Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an Indian Air Force veteran and was the 21st Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and served from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016.[2] He was also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, a post occupied by India's senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.[4][5] Currently, he is the Chancellor of Assam University.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Raha was born in a Bengali Kayastha family on 26 December 1954 in the city of Baidyabati, West Bengal. His father was a doctor. He was educated at Sainik School Purulia (1970 batch).[6][7][8]

Military training[edit | edit source]

Raha was trained at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, India, from July 1970 to June 1973, and at the time of graduating from NDA in June 1973, he was awarded the Gold Medal for being the best cadet of the 44th NDA course. Subsequently, he did flying training on HT-2 and Kiran ( HJT-16 ) at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, before being commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in Dec 1974. After flying Hunters in Operational Conversion Unit, he went on to fly Mig -21 aircraft.

Military career[edit | edit source]

Raha has flown a wide variety of combat and trainer aircraft. After initial training on the HAL HT-2, he has flown the MIG-21 and MIG-29 aircraft and has commanded a MiG-29 fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. As on 2 April 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.[5] Raha previously served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force[9] and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command,[3] and that of the Central Air Command.[5] He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.[10]

Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.

Air Chief calls on PM Narendra Modi

Notable appointments held[edit | edit source]

Name of Appointment Rank Insignia Period
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016
Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal 1 July 2013 to 31 Dec 2013
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF Air Marshal 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2013
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command of the IAF Air Marshal 2 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012
Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command Air Vice Marshal till 1 Nov 2011
Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School, Tambaram Air Commodore Unknown
Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers Wing Commander 8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Arup Raha is married to Lily Raha and they have two children. The son, Atanu, is a commercial pilot who is married to Sanskriti Chatterjee Raha, a professional Kathakali dancer. The daughter, Anusree Raha, is an Indian Economic Service officer and a TEDx speaker, and is married to Bodhisattwa Biswas, an alumnus of Indian School of Business.[11][12]

Awards and decorations[edit | edit source]

Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vayu Sena Medal
Samanya Seva Medal Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

In 2018, the state-run Sidho Kanho Birsha University awarded Arup Raha with an honorary D.Litt. degree during its convocation ceremony.[13]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief". The Times of India. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Central Air Command". Indianairforce.nic.in. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  4. "Arup Raha is new chief of staff". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Arup Raha takes over as senior Air Staff Officer at WAC". The Times of India. 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  6. "Air Marshal Arup Raha to be IAF Chief". 30 October 2013.
  7. Jayanta Gupta (26 January 2012). "Sainik School in Purulia turns 50, Air Marshal to be chief guest". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  8. Rohila, Naresh (5 June 2019). "Service Record for Arup Raha". Bharatrakshak.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief". 30 June 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  10. "Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile". Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  11. Indian Air Force [dead link]
  12. "Indian Economic Service".
  13. "Aajkaal: Bengali News, Bangla News, Breaking News in Bengali". Archived from the original on 29 October 2020.


Military offices
Preceded by
Bikram Singh
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016
Succeeded by
Sunil Lanba
Preceded by
Norman Anil Kumar Browne
Chief of the Air Staff (India)
31 December 2013 – 31 December 2016
Succeeded by
Birender Singh Dhanoa
Preceded by
Norman Anil Kumar Browne
Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)
1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013
Succeeded by
Ravi Kant Sharma