New Delhi, January 1, 2026: Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM on Thursday took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, marking a key leadership transition at Air Headquarters. The appointment was confirmed in an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Flying Branch on December 6, 1986. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he has established himself as an accomplished fighter pilot, a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft and has logged more than 3,400 hours of flying across a wide range of combat and trainer platforms.
Air Marshal Kapoor has held several important command and operational appointments during his service. His operational roles include commanding a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, serving as Station Commander of a frontline flying base in the Western Sector, and functioning as Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. He has also contributed extensively in instructional roles, including as Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Academy, he played a crucial role in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk II aircraft.
A graduate of both the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Kapoor has also served in key strategic and personnel-related assignments. These include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command, and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. He has additionally represented India in a diplomatic role as Defence Attaché to Pakistan.
Before assuming his current position, Air Marshal Kapoor served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command and later as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command. He succeeds Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari SYSM PVSM AVSM VM, who superannuated after completing 40 years of distinguished service to the nation.
In recognition of his exemplary contributions, Air Marshal Kapoor has been decorated with several prestigious honours, including the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
