Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry Takes Charge of IAF Central Air Command

Exam-Focused Points

• Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry  assumed charge as AOC-in-C of  Central Air Command  on  1 June 2026 .

• He succeeded  Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan , who superannuated on  31 May 2026  after  40 years  of service.

• Central Air Command  is one of the  five operational commands  of the Indian Air Force.

• Its  headquarters  is at  Prayagraj  (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh.

• Air Marshal Chaudhry was  commissioned in December 1989  into the  fighter stream .

• Before this, he served as  Senior Air Staff Officer  at  Southern Air Command .

• He served as  Defence Attaché  in  Sweden  (with accreditation to Norway, Finland, Denmark).

• He is an alumnus of  NDA, DSSC, College of Air Warfare, and NDC .

• The Indian Air Force has  seven commands  in total (five operational + two functional).

• Central Air Command provides  operational depth  for western and northern sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When did Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry take over as AOC-in-C of Central Air Command?
A: He took over on 1 June 2026.

Q2: Who did he succeed?
A: He succeeded Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who retired on 31 May 2026 after 40 years of service.

Q3: Where is the headquarters of Central Air Command located?
A: The headquarters is located at Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh.

Q4: What is the main role of Central Air Command?
A: It provides operational depth for the western and northern sectors. It acts as a reserve and reinforcement command for front-line commands.

Q5: What diplomatic assignment did Air Marshal Chaudhry hold?
A: He served as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Sweden, with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland, and Denmark.