New Delhi, May 1, 2025 — In a significant leadership transition within India's defence establishment, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM has officially assumed the post of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).

The appointment was formalized on 01 May 2025, as part of India's ongoing commitment to strengthening jointness and synergy among the three Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force.

To commemorate the solemnity of the occasion, Air Marshal Dixit laid a wreath at the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi, paying heartfelt tribute to the valor and sacrifice of India’s fallen soldiers. In his first act as CISC, the homage underscored the enduring spirit of the nation’s armed forces and their supreme dedication to duty.

Later, a Tri-Services Guard of Honour was presented to the new CISC at South Block, the seat of India’s Ministry of Defence. The ceremonial display by personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force highlighted the integrated nature of the appointment and its centrality to India’s evolving military command structure.

Before taking over as CISC, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Central Air Command, one of the key operational commands of the Indian Air Force. Over his distinguished career spanning decades, he has held a variety of operational, administrative, and strategic appointments, contributing significantly to the Indian Air Force’s combat readiness and modernisation efforts.

Decorated with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Air Marshal Dixit brings with him a wealth of experience in air operations, joint command planning, and force integration—critical competencies as India advances toward a more unified theatre command structure.

His appointment as CISC comes at a time when India is enhancing its integrated defence capabilities through policy reforms and structural realignment. The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff plays a pivotal role in fostering coordination among the three services and advising the Chiefs of Staff Committee on critical joint warfare doctrines, procurement, and training strategies.

With Air Marshal Dixit at the helm, HQ IDS is expected to further accelerate initiatives for interoperability, integrated logistics, cyber and space warfare readiness, and effective resource management across services.