Overview
- Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed charge as the 50th Vice Chief of the Air Staff on January 1 at Vayu Bhawan after a guard of honour and a wreath-laying at the National War Memorial.
- He succeeds Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who retired on December 31 after four decades of service and was decorated with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
- The IAF concurrently appointed Air Marshal Tejinder Singh as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command and Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas as head of Training Command.
- Kapoor earlier led SWAC, has more than 3,400 flying hours, has held key instructional and staff roles, and holds awards including the PVSM and the 2025 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
- The transition reflects a recurring pathway from SWAC to the vice chief’s post, with five such elevations reported in the past decade.