Created by Animesh
Last edited April 14, 2026


Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar
Commandant, Air Force Academy
In office
1 August 2020 – 31 July 2021
Preceded byJonnalagedda Chalapati
Succeeded bySanjeev Kapoor
Personal details
AwardsAti Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayu Sena Medal
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Air Force
Rank Air Marshal
UnitNo. 41 Squadron
CommandsAir Force Academy
National Defence Academy
No. 41 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron
Service number16829[1]

Air Marshal Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar, AVSM, VM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the 28th Commandant of the Air Force Academy. He assumed the office on 1 August 2020 succeeding Air Marshal Jonnalagedda Chalapati. He served till his superannuation on 31 July 2021[2][3]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar is an alumnus of Sanik School, Kazhakootam from 1978 batch. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College, New Delhi.[4][5][6]

Career[edit | edit source]

Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar was commissioned in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force. In a career spanning over 39 years, he has as more than 6,000 hours of flying experience across various types of transport aircraft, trainer aircraft and gliders.[7]

He has held various instructional tenures include stints at National Defence Academy, Pune, Basic Flying Training School, Prayagraj and Fixed Wing Training Faculty at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru.[4]

As Wing Commander, he served as the Commanding Officer of the No. 41 Squadron at Jodhpur.[5]

As Group Captain, he served as the Commanding Officer of the No. 33 Squadron at Sulur.[1]

As Air Commodore, he served as the Principal Director for Operations, Transport and Helicopters. Later, he served as the Air Officer Commanding of 3 Wing in New Delhi. Afterwards, he served as the Principal Director for Space operations.[8]

As Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Senior Directing Staff (Air) at the National Defence College, New Delhi.[9]

After his promotion to Air Marshal, he served as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy till 15 December 2019.[10]

Later, he took over as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the Central Air Command on 16 December 2019 from Air Marshal Richard John Duckworth and served till 31 July 2020.[11]

He was appointed as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy, where he served till his superannuation on 31 July 2021 and was succeeded by Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor.[8]

Honours and decorations[edit | edit source]

During his career, Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 and Vayu Sena Medal in 2003 for his service.[12][13]

Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vayu Sena Medal

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Air Marshal Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar - BRF". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. "Air Marshal IP Vipin takes over as Commandant of Air Force Academy, Secunderabad". BW Businessworld. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. India, The Hans (2 August 2021). "Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor takes over as Commandant of Air Force Academy". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Meet the new commandant of NDA Pune, Air Marshal IP Vipin". Hindustan Times. 2018-04-11.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Rajwi, Tiki (2013-08-17). "Yet another feather in Sainik school's cap". The New Indian Express.
  6. "Outstanding Cadets Feted, New Facilities Opened". The New Indian Express. 2014-06-30.
  7. "Air Marshal Vipin takes over as Commandant of Air Force Academy". United News of India. 2020-08-01.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "New Commandant at AFA-Dundigal". The Hindu. 2021-08-01.
  9. "Indian Air Force Senior Directing Staff Calls on Commander". Sri Lankan Army. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  10. "Air Marshal IP Vipin to head NDA". Times of India. 2018-04-11.
  11. Feb 19, TNN. "Lt Gen Asit Mistry new NDA Commandant | Pune News". The Times of India.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. "President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day" (Press release). PIB. 2021-01-25.
  13. "494 armed forces personnel selected for awards". The Tribune. 26 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
Military offices
Preceded by
Jonnalagedda Chalapati
Commandant, Air Force Academy
1 August 2020 – 31 July 2021
Succeeded by
Sanjeev Kapoor
Preceded by
Richard John Duckworth
Senior Air Staff Officer - Central Air Command
16 December 2019 - 31 July 2020
Succeeded by
Dilip Kumar Patnaik
Preceded by
Jasjit Singh Kler
Commandant, National Defence Academy
9 April 2018 – 15 December 2019
Succeeded by
Asit Mistry