Gurupratap Rajan at 05:53, 3 May 2026

2026-05-03T05:53:03Z

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{{Short description|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| name = Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|SYSM|AVSM|VM}}
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = File:Air Marshal Bharti.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| alt =
| caption = Air Marshal Bharti during press briefing of [[Operation Sindoor]]
| office = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of Air Staff]]
| 1blankname = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| 1namedata = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
| term_start = 1 June 2025
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
| successor =
| office1 = Director General of Air Operations
| term_start1 = 1 October 2024
| term_end1 = 31 May 2025
| 1blankname1 = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
| predecessor1 = [[Surat Singh (air marshal)|Surat Singh]]
| successor1 = George Thomas
| birth_date = 
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = 
| nickname = Galloping Horse
| birth_place = [[Purnea]], [[Bihar]]
| allegiance = {{Country|India}}
| branch = {{Air force|India}}
| service_years = 13 June 1987 – Present
| rank = [[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg|24px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| military_blank1 = [[Service number]]
| military_data1 = 18781<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=PIB Delhi}}</ref>
| unit = [[No. 30 Squadron IAF|No. 30 Squadron]]
| commands = {{plainlist|
* [[Lohagaon|2 Wing]]
* [[No. 24 Squadron IAF|No. 24 Squadron]]
* [[No. 30 Squadron IAF|No. 30 Squadron]]
}}
| battles = [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]] [[Operation Parakram]] [[Operation Sindoor]]
| battles_label = Battles
| military_blank2 = Awards
| military_data2 = {{plainlist|
* [[File:Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* [[File:Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vayu Sena Medal]]
}}
| spouse =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
| website =
| other_name =
| memorials =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| module =
| alma_mater = [[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png|20px|class=skin-invert]] [[Air Force Academy (India)|Indian Air Force Academy]] [[File:National Defence Academy NDA.png|20px|class=skin-invert]] [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] [[Sainik School, Tilaiya]]
}}
[[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Awadhesh Kumar Bharti''', [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal|SYSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]],[[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]] is a serving [[air officer]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He is the currently serving as the [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 June 2025 |title=On being appointed as Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AK Bharti, AVSM, VM, paid homage to fallen soldiers at National War Memorial. Saluting before the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the DCAS expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bravehearts for their gallant service. |url=https://x.com/salute2soldier/status/1929062553629421661?s=20 |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |website=X.com}}</ref> He was previously serving as the Director General of Air Operations,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=MCC |first=IAF |date=3 October 2024 |title=Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti assumed the position of Director General Air Operations today |url=https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1841770329477415072?s=20 |website=x.com}}</ref> prior to that he was Senior Air Staff Officer, [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central Air Command, Indian Air Force - Database |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/units/CAC |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
He was born in [[Purnia district]] of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Jyoti |date=2025-05-25 |title=Sainik School to Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Bharti is Purnea’s pride. ‘See! He is on TV’ |url=https://theprint.in/ground-reports/sainik-school-to-operation-sindoor-dgao-bharti-is-purneas-pride-see-he-is-on-tv/2634710/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> His father is Jiwachh Lal Yadav, a retired govt personnel of Kosi Project and his mother is Urmila Devi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Sindoor: He Stayed True To His Childhood Resolve, Says DG Air Ops Bharti's Mother |url=https://www.news18.com/india/operation-sindoor-he-stayed-true-to-his-childhood-resolve-says-dgao-Bharti’s-mother-ws-dkl-9335415.html |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> He is an alumnus of [[Sainik School, Tilaiya]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 Sep 2025 |title=Air Marshal AK Bharti, SYSM,AVSM,VM Deputy Chief of the Air Staff visited Sainik School Tilaiya to pay tribute to his teachers and the almamater. He motivated cadets in a Special Assembly to serve the Nation in Uniform and challenge their limits to the brim to achieve all targets. |url=https://x.com/SSTilaiya/status/1970034509946188118?s=20 |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |website=X}}</ref> He then attended the [[National Defence Academy]], Khadakwasla and the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal. He was awarded the ''President’s Silver Medal'' at the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and was awarded the ''Sword of Honour'' for standing first in overall merit in his course at the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]]. He is also an alumnus of the [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu|Wellington]] and the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]], [[New Delhi]]. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-12 |title=Op Sindoor architect Air Marshal Bharti gives fresh fame and pride to parents and Purnia |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/op-sindoor-architect-air-marshal-bharti-gives-fresh-fame-and-pride-to-parents-and-purnia-101747064254268.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512174318/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/op-sindoor-architect-air-marshal-bharti-gives-fresh-fame-and-pride-to-parents-and-purnia-101747064254268.html |archive-date=2025-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us}}</ref> During his NDA days, [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Bharti was nicknamed ‘''Galloping Horse''’, as his cross country record there remained unbroken for many years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Ruchir |title=Op Sindoor architect Air Marshal Bharti gives fresh fame and pride to parents and Purnia |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/op-sindoor-architect-air-marshal-bharti-gives-fresh-fame-and-pride-to-parents-and-purnia-101747064254268.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=12 May 2025 }}</ref>

==Military career==
The Air Marshal was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the [[Indian Air Force]] on 13 June 1987 from the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]]. In a career spanning over three decades, he has more than 4000 hours of flying experience across various fighter jets and has held numerous field & staff appointments. He is a highly experienced combat fighter pilot and has flown different types of aircraft like [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MIG-21]], [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MIG-29]] , [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|SU-30MKI]], [[Sukhoi Su-30MKM|SU-30MKM]]. He has led and also been a part of many IAF air exercises viz [[Cope India|COPE India]] 2004, [[Exercise Garuda]], Exercise Indradanush on foreign soils.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2025-05-13 |title=A Mother's Ardent Wish Gave India Her Brave Air Marshal AK Bharti, Who Played Vital Role In Operation Sindoor |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/air-marshal-ak-bharti-bihar-purnea-know-his-journey-op-sindoor-indian-air-force-enn25051306071 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref> He has been the Flight Commander of Sukhoi 30 fighter squadron [[No. 24 Squadron IAF|No. 24 Squadron]] and Commanding Officer of Sukhoi 30 Mk I [[No. 30 Squadron IAF|No. 30 Squadron]].<ref name=":3" /> He was awarded with three stars for accident-free flying. The Air Marshal's operational tenures include being the Air Officer Commanding Officer of a frontline fighter Air base at Pune in the Southern Western Air Command. His staff appointments include Air Attaché with [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]] where he trained the Malaysian Fighter Pilots on [[Sukhoi Su-30MKM|SU-30 MKM]].

As an [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]], he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector Strategy) in [[Strategic Forces Command]] and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, Offensive Operations at Air Force Headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strategic Forces Command, Indian Air Force - Database |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/units/SFC |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>

After being promoted to the rank of [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]], he was appointed as the Senior Air Staff Officer, [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]]. A year later, on 3 October 2024, he assumed the appointment of Director General Air Operations .As the Director General of Air Operations,he played a vital role in India's [[2025 India–Pakistan conflict|Operation Sindoor]]. On 1 June 2025, [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Bharti took over as the [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] .

==Awards and decorations==
During his career, the air marshal has been awarded the [[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]] on Independence Day 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=PIB Delhi}}</ref> the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Jan 2024 |title=75th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999669&reg=3&lang=2 |archive-url= |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |website=PIB}}</ref> and the [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Jan 2008 |title=Republic Day gallantry and other Defence decorations 2008 |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=34900&reg=3&lang=2 |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |website=PIB}}</ref> He has also received commendations from the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]].
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[File:IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|105x105px]] [[File:IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_Videsh_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:75yearmedal.svg|105x105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND_50th_Anniversary_Independence_medal.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|[[File:IND_9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105x105px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" |[[Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Vayu Sena Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[50th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}

== Dates of ranks ==
{| class="wikitable" style="background:white"
!Insignia
!Rank
!Component
!Date of rank
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-1a.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Pilot Officer]]
|Indian Air Force
|13 June 1987<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Service Record for Air Marshal Awadesh Kumar Bharti 18781 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/18781 |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-1b.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Flying officer|Flying Officer]]
|Indian Air Force
|13 June 1988<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-2.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Flight Lieutenant]]
|Indian Air Force
|13 June 1992<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-3.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Squadron Leader]]
|Indian Air Force
|13 June 1998<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-4.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]
|Indian Air Force
|11 May 2004<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-5.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Group Captain]]
|Indian Air Force
|1 June 2009 (acting 13 Sep 2010)<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-6.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]]
|Indian Air Force
|17 June 2013<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-7.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]]
|Indian Air Force
|4 December 2019<ref name=":3" />
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-8.svg|65x65px]]
|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
|Indian Air Force
|1 September 2023<ref name=":3" />
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of Air Staff]]
| years = 1 June 2025 – Present
| before = [[Tejinder Singh (air marshal)|Tejinder Singh]]
| after = ''Incumbent''
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Director General Air Operations
| years = 1 October 2024 - 30 May 2025
| before = [[Surat Singh (air marshal)|Surat Singh]]
| after = George Thomas
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Senior Air Staff Officer [[Central Air Command (India)|Central Air Command]]
| years = 1 September 2023 – 30 September 2024
| before = [[Nagesh Kapoor]]
| after = George Thomas
}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bharti, Awadhesh Kumar}}
[[Category:Sainik School alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vayu Sena Medal]]
[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]

Awadhesh Kumar Bharti - Revision history

Gurupratap Rajan at 05:53, 3 May 2026