New leaders assume key senior roles in Army and Air Force

Major appointments in the higher military leadership were announced on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), with senior roles assigned across the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who played a key role in Operation Sindoor and has participated in several significant military operations during his distinguished career, assumed charge as the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30 after four decades of service.

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor with more than 3,500 flying hours on aircraft, including the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG variants, and Tejas.

During his nearly 40-year career, he has been associated with major operations, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India, and Operation Sindoor. Before taking over as VCAS, he served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, where he played a key role in promoting tri-service integration and joint operational planning.

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh has now taken over as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. A fighter pilot with over 4,500 flying hours, he previously served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command and has held several important operational and strategic appointments in the IAF.

In the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain assumed charge as the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS). Commissioned into the Mahar Regiment in 1988, he has nearly four decades of operational experience, including participation in Operation Pawan, multiple counter-insurgency deployments, high-altitude tenures, and United Nations missions. Before his elevation, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command.

Following his appointment, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command. Commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in 1988, he earlier commanded 2 Corps during Operation Sindoor, providing decisive operational leadership. His career includes the command of an armoured regiment, independent armoured brigade, infantry division, and strike corps, besides several key staff appointments.

Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra has assumed command of the South Western Command. Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in 1989, he brings over 37 years of experience across command, staff and instructional appointments, including leadership roles in the Siachen Glacier, armoured formations, and operational planning. Immediately before his new assignment, he served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Eastern Command, contributing significantly to operational preparedness and organisational effectiveness.