Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM, AVSM, VM has officially assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force (IAF).

An accomplished fighter pilot with over 3,600 flying hours, Air Marshal Tiwari is a graduate of the National Defence Academy (President’s Gold Medal, June 1985) and the Air Command and Staff College, USA. Commissioned into the IAF on June 7, 1986, he has served as a Qualified Flying Instructor, Experimental Test Pilot, and Directing Staff at both the IAF Test Pilots’ School and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Notably, he played a key role in operationalising the ‘Litening’ Laser Designation Pod during the 1999 Kargil operations and was deeply involved in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) flight testing and Final Operational Clearance between 2006–2009 and 2018–2019. His international experience includes serving as Air Attaché in Paris from 2013 to 2016.

Before taking over as Vice Chief, Air Marshal Tiwari was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the South Western Air Command. His distinguished service has been recognised with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2025), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2022), and Vayu Sena Medal (2008).

He is married to Richa Tiwari, a postgraduate in cytology, and they have two daughters.

(PIB)