Air Mshl Tejpal Singh assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, taking over the post from Air Mshl Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, who retired a day earlier after 39 years in uniform. The change of appointment took place at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

Air Mshl Tejpal Singh's Fighter and Test Pilot Background

He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 16 June 1990 as a fighter pilot. Over 3500 hours in the cockpit followed, along with a Category A Qualified Flying Instructor rating.

He also holds the Experimental Test Pilot qualification, cleared to fly aircraft still in trial or upgrade before they reach frontline squadrons.

Command, Staff and Operational Postings Behind the Appointment

The Indian Air Force release accompanying the change of appointment credits Air Mshl Tejpal Singh with having held key operational, command and staff appointments over his career. It does not name the individual postings.

That gap sits alongside a broader pattern. Officers moving into Deputy Chief roles typically arrive after a mix of squadron command, a staff tenure at Air Headquarters and at least one operational command appointment, the same progression visible in Air Mshl Tejinder Singh's move into the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff appointment a month earlier.

Two Medals Across Two Decades

The Ministry of Defence release states the President of India awarded him the Vayu Sena Medal in January 2011. Ten years on, in January 2021, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal followed.

Wreath at the National War Memorial

On taking over, Air Mshl Tejpal Singh laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to those who died in service. The gesture has become a fixed marker of a senior change of appointment; Vice Adm AN Pramod observed the same custom the same day, on assuming charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters.

A Post Vacated After 39 Years of Service

Air Mshl Awadhesh Kumar Bharti held the post before him. The Ministry of Defence release notes he superannuated on 31 July after 39 years of glorious and distinguished service, carrying the Su Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal with him into retirement.

Air Mshl Tejpal Singh's rise through the fighter and test pilot stream places him among other recent appointees to Air Force Principal Staff Officer roles, among them Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, now Vice Chief of the Air Staff.