Air Marshal Tejinder Singh has formally taken charge as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) as of July 1, 2026. In a solemn ceremony, he honored the sacrifices of the nation’s military personnel by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
With a distinguished career that began with his commissioning into the Indian Air Force in June 1987, Air Marshal Singh has established himself as a highly respected fighter pilot, accumulating over 4,500 flying hours. His leadership experience includes commanding a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, and a major Fighter Base. He has also served as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) in Jammu & Kashmir, demonstrating his operational expertise in diverse and challenging environments.
Singh has held numerous significant staff positions throughout his career, including Assistant Chief of Air Staff for both Offensive Operations and Strategy. He has also served as Senior Air Staff Officer at the Eastern Air Command, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Training Command.
Prior to his new role, Air Marshal Singh was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, where he was instrumental in bolstering operational readiness and enhancing combat capabilities. His strategic vision is anticipated to play a vital role in promoting jointness and integration among India’s Armed Forces.
The appointment of Air Marshal Tejinder Singh as CISC is seen as a significant step towards advancing the collaborative capabilities of the Indian military, focusing on developing theatre command structures and improving joint warfighting efficiencies. His leadership is expected to facilitate greater coordination among the services as India continues to evolve its defense strategies in an increasingly complex security environment.
