Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes charge as IAF Vice Chief

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor on Thursday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who superannuated on Wednesday after four decades of distinguished service to the nation.Air Marshal Kapoor took charge at Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour. He later laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid tribute to the fallen heroes. Commissioned into the flying branch of the IAF in December 1986, Air Marshal Kapoor is an experienced fighter pilot, qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. 

#WATCH | Delhi | Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor lays wreath at National War Memorial after taking charge as Vice Chief of Air Staff. pic.twitter.com/nwZxloZTbO

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026

Kapoor has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft and has accumulated more than 3,400 hours of flying experience on a wide range of combat and trainer aircraft, the defence ministry said.An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Kapoor has rendered over 39 years of illustrious service. He has held a broad spectrum of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments during his career.His operational tenures include serving as 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. His instructional assignments include chief instructor (flying) at the Air Force Academy and directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, Air Marshal Kapoor played a key role in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk II aircraft into the Indian Air Force. He has also served as a defence attaché in Pakistan.His key staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command (SWAC), Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command, and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. Prior to assuming the role of Vice Chief of Air Staff, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and later as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SWAC, headquartered in Gandhinagar.In recognition of his exemplary service, Air Marshal Kapoor has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and the Presidential awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
Air Marshal Kapoor succeeded Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM and VM, who retired after 40 years of distinguished service, the defence ministry said.In a separate development, the defence ministry said Air Marshal Tejinder Singh assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command on January 1. After taking over, Air Marshal Singh paid homage to the martyrs at the National War Memorial.Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 13, 1987. A Category ‘A’ qualified flying instructor, he has over 4,500 hours of flying experience and has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 for his meritorious service.