New Delhi, May 2, 2025 - Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM, AVSM, VM formally took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 2, 2025. With a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Tiwari brings a wealth of operational, instructional, and technical experience to the second-highest position in the IAF.

Air Marshal Tiwari completed his schooling at the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun, followed by the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasala, where he was awarded the President's Gold Medal in June 1985. Commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on June 7, 1986, he has since logged more than 3600 flying hours on various aircraft.

He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, having graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in the United States. His instructional roles include serving as Directing Staff at both the IAF Test Pilots’ School and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

A key highlight of his career was his contribution during the 1999 Kargil Conflict, where he played a critical role in operationalising the 'Litening' Laser Designation Pod. His leadership in test flying was also evident in his involvement with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. Between 2006 and 2009, and again in 2018-19 as Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, he contributed significantly to the aircraft’s Final Operational Clearance.

From 2013 to 2016, Air Marshal Tiwari served as the Air Attache at the Indian Embassy in Paris, fostering crucial defence cooperation with France. In his later tenure, he held key appointments including Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), and most recently, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.

In recognition of his exceptional service to the nation, he has been conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2025, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2022, and Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2008.

Air Marshal Tiwari is married to Mrs. Richa Tiwari, a postgraduate in Cytology. The couple is blessed with two daughters.

As the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Tiwari is expected to play a key role in advancing the Indian Air Force’s modernization goals and operational readiness.