Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, VCOAS, IAF.
Indian Air Force Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Vice Chief of Air Staff: New Delhi, January 1, 2026: Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM on Wednesday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. He took over the appointment on January 1, 2026.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Kapoor graduated in December 1985 and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. Over the course of his distinguished flying career, he has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft and has logged more than 3,400 hours of flying on a wide range of combat and trainer aircraft.
READ: Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Retires as Vice Chief of the Air Staff
With over 39 years of illustrious service, the Air Marshal is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College. He has held a broad spectrum of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments. His operational tenures include 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 roles 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, he played a key role in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk II aircraft in the Indian Air Force.
READ: Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas Takes Charge as AOC-in-C, Training Command
Air Marshal Kapoor has also served on a diplomatic assignment as Defence Attaché to Pakistan. His important staff appointments include Assistant Chief of the 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.
Prior to taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command, followed by his tenure as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command.
READ: India DRDO Successfully Conducts Salvo Launch of Two Pralay Missiles
In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation, Air Marshal Kapoor has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and the prestigious Presidential awards of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor succeeds Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari SYSM PVSM AVSM VM, who superannuated after completing 40 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation.
READ: Japan reaffirms 2035 target for next-generation fighter under GCAP
