Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd)

Director General

Air Mshl Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM graduated from National Defence Academy in December 1985 and was commissioned in the Indian Air Force, in the fighter stream of Flying Branch, on 06 December 1986.

He is an experienced fighter pilot who has flown a variety of combat and trainer aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. During his career, he has flown all variants of MiG-21 and the MiG-29 with more than 3400 hrs of flying experience. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College..

During 39 years of illustrious service, he has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational tenures include being the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. He has done instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at Air Force Academy and Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK II aircraft in the IAF. He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as Defence Attaché, Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command, Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQ and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command. Before assuming the present appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command.

In recognition of his meritorious service, the Air Marshal was awarded with Vayu Sena Medal in 2008, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.

He is married to Mrs Vandana Kapoor and they are blessed with two children.

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