Air Marshal Tejpal Singh assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Air Staff
New Delhi, August 1
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh, AVSM, VM, assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, an official release from the Defence Ministry stated.
On the occasion, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the brave souls who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. Commissioned on June 16, 1990, as a fighter pilot, the Air Marshal has over 3,500 hours of flying experience. He is a Category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot.
The Air Marshal has held key operational, command, and staff appointments in the Indian Air Force.
According to the press release, in recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in January 2011 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2021 by the President of India.
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh takes over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, who superannuated on July 31, after 39 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation.
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti led the Air Force during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 and called for self-reliance in defence manufacturing on several occasions.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see the emphasis on homage at the National War Memorial. It's a somber reminder that leadership in the IAF isn't just about rank but also about honouring those who came before. Respect.
A Category 'A' instructor AND a test pilot? That's a rare combo. Our Air Force continues to produce world-class officers. Also, kudos to Air Marshal Bharti on his retirement after 39 years—that's an extraordinary career!
Operation Sindoor leadership is a big deal. Air Marshal Bharti's call for self-reliance is the right direction. Hope the new DCAS continues that push—especially for our fighter fleet and aero engines.
Great news! Having flown with the IAF's test pilot school, I can say the standards are incredibly high. Tejpal Singh's appointment is well deserved. Wish him all the best in this new role. Jai Hind! ✈️
Impressive credentials, but we really need to speed up the HAL Tejas MK2 and AMCA programmes. The IAF's leadership transition is smooth, but the real challenge will be equipping the force for the next decade. Just saying.
Both the outgoing and incoming DCAS are exceptional
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