Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Assumes Role as Vice Chief of Indian Air Force

Tiwari succeeds Air Marshal S P Dharkar, bringing decades of operational and modernization expertise to the second-highest post in the IAF.

Overview

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari officially took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff on May 2, 2025, following a guard of honour at Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi.
He succeeds Air Marshal S P Dharkar, who retired on April 30, 2025, marking a significant leadership transition within the Indian Air Force.
Tiwari, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the US Air Command & Staff College, has a distinguished career as a fighter pilot, experimental test pilot, and flying instructor.
He played a pivotal role in operational missions during the Kargil conflict and contributed to weapons and systems testing, particularly on the Mirage-2000 aircraft.
Prior to this appointment, Tiwari served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command since May 2023.