New Appointments of Indian Armed Forces

Air Marshal SP Dharkar superannuated from the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 30 April 2025, concluding an illustrious 40-year career in service to the nation.

New Appointments of Indian Armed Forces

1. Retirement of Air Marshal SP Dharkar

Air Marshal SP Dharkar superannuated from the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 30 April 2025, concluding an illustrious 40-year career in service to the nation. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, IAF on 02 May 25.

• Commissioned: 14 June 1985 as a Fighter Pilot
• Flying Hours: Over 3600 hours on various IAF aircraft
• Qualifications:
  • Qualified Flying Instructor
  • Fighter Strike Leader
  • Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner
• Education:
  • National Defence Academy (NDA)
  • Defence Services Staff College (India)
  • Army War College (USA)
• Last Position Held: Vice Chief of the Air Staff

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari

2. Appointment of New Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC)

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed the role of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) on 01 May 2025, succeeding Lt Gen JP Mathew, who retired on 30 April 2025.

• Career Highlights: Nearly four decades of distinguished service with extensive command, staff, and instructional experience
• Awards:
  • Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
  • Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
  • Vayu Sena Medal (VM)

3. Appointment of Northern Army Commander

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma has taken charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command of the Indian Army.

• Commissioned: December 1987 into the MADRAS Regiment
• Education:
  • NDA, Khadakwasla
  • Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
  • Defence Services Staff College, Wellington
  • National Defence College, New Delhi
• Operational Commands Held:
  • Infantry Battalion, Brigade, and Division along the Line of Control
  • A Strike Corps in the Western Sector
• Courses: Qualified on the Higher Command Course

4. Revamp of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

The Union Government has restructured the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) to strengthen strategic planning and coordination.

• New Chairman: Alok Joshi (Former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing – RAW)
• New Members Appointed:
  • Military:
    • Air Marshal P.M. Sinha (Former Western Air Commander)
    • Lt Gen A.K. Singh (Former Southern Army Commander)
    • Rear Admiral Monty Khanna
  • Police:
    • Rajiv Ranjan Verma (Retired IPS)
    • Manmohan Singh (Retired IPS)
  • Diplomacy:
    • B Venkatesh Varma (Retired IFS Officer)