Air Marshal Tejbir Singh Takes Over as Director-General (Inspection & Safety) at Air HQ

With a distinguished career spanning 37 years, Air Marshal Singh brings to the post an impressive record of operational experience, leadership, and institutional transformation.

 

Air Marshal Tejbir Singh assumed charge as the new Director General (Inspection & Safety) [DG (I&S)] at Air HQ on 1 December 2025, succeeding Air Marshal Makarand Bhaskar Ranade, who retired on 30 November after 39 years of service. The appointment marks a new chapter for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) safety and inspection leadership.

With a distinguished career spanning 37 years, Air Marshal Singh brings to the post an impressive record of operational experience, leadership, and institutional transformation. Over his long tenure, he has held critical command and staff positions, including serving as Air Attaché to Bangladesh, Senior Directing Staff (Air) at the National Defence College, New Delhi, and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations – Transport & Helicopter) at Air HQ. He is also an alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK.

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✈️ Operational Excellence and Command Legacy

• Air Marshal Singh has logged over 7,000 hours of flying time, reflecting deep operational engagement.

• He played a pioneering role in induction of the C-130J “Super Hercules” transport aircraft into the IAF, and was instrumental in establishing the Air Force’s first Special Operations squadron — a capability crucial for joint operations involving Special Forces and rapid strategic mobility.

• In command roles, he led two major flying bases, a premier training base, and a frontline operational airbase supporting the Northern sector, demonstrating versatility across training, operational readiness, and strategic deployment domains.

• In his previous role as Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Training Command, he led a strategic transformation aligning training philosophy with realistic operational demands — a move credited with improving readiness and competency across the IAF's pilot and crew training pipelines.

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🎖️ Honours & Service Recognition

For his distinguished service, Air Marshal Tejbir Singh was awarded:

• Vayu Sena Medal (2010) — for exceptionally meritorious service in air operations

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2018) — for distinguished service of an exceptional order

His history of awards, combined with operational and leadership credentials, positions him as a fit successor to oversee the IAF’s inspection, safety protocols, and operational readiness at a strategic level.

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🔧 What This Means for the IAF

With growing emphasis on modernization, diversified mission requirements across transport, logistics, special operations, and joint operations — both domestic and international — the appointment of Air Marshal Singh signals a continued commitment to high standards of operational safety, training rigor, and strategic mobility.

As DG (I&S), he will be responsible for oversight of inspection procedures, safety audits, compliance with operational norms, and ensuring that the IAF’s expanding fleet and evolving mission set operate under the highest safety and readiness parameters.

This transition underscores the IAF’s institutional continuity and preparedness in the face of evolving security challenges and expanding strategic responsibilities.