Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry Takes Charge of Central Air Command

Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force’s Central Air Command on 1 June 2026. He succeeded Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who superannuated on 31 May 2026 after 40 years of service in the Indian Air Force.

Central Air Command

The Central Air Command is one of the operational commands of the Indian Air Force. Its headquarters is at Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh. The command covers a large part of central India and provides operational depth for the western and northern sectors.

Career Profile of Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry

Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989. Before this appointment, he served as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command. His career includes operational, staff, and diplomatic assignments over more than three decades.

Education and Diplomatic Assignments

Air Marshal Chaudhry is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare, and National Defence College. He also served as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Sweden with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland, and Denmark.

Service Structure in the Indian Air Force

The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief is the senior-most officer of an operational command in the Indian Air Force. Operational commands of the IAF are responsible for air defence, strike operations, logistics, and training within assigned geographical areas.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Indian Air Force has seven commands, including five operational commands and two functional commands.
• Central Air Command is one of the operational commands of the Indian Air Force.
• Prayagraj is the headquarters of Central Air Command.
• The fighter stream is one of the main branches of commissioned officers in the Indian Air Force.