Awadhesh Kumar Bharti

He was born in Purnia district of Bihar.^[4] His father is Jiwachh Lal Yadav, a retired govt personnel of Kosi Project and his mother is Urmila Devi.^[5] He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Tilaiya.^[4][6] He then attended the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. He was awarded the Sword of Honour for standing first in overall merit in his course at the Air Force Academy.^[4] He is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi.^[7] During his NDA days, Air Marshal Bharti was nicknamed ‘Galloping Horse’, as his cross country record there remained unbroken for many years.^[7]

The air marshal was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 June 1987 from the Air Force Academy. In a career spanning over three decades, he has more than 5000 hours of flying experience across various fighter jets and has held numerous field and staff appointments.^[8] He is a highly experienced combat fighter pilot and has flown different types of aircraft including SU-30MKI and SU-30MKM. He has led and been a part of many air exercises including Gagan Shakti, Garuda and Indradhanush.^[9][10] He has been Flight Commander of a Sukhoi-30 fighter squadron, No. 24 Squadron, and Commanding Officer of a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter squadron, No. 30 Squadron.^[11][12] He was awarded ‘Three Stars’ for accident-free flying. The air marshal’s operational tenures include being Air Officer Commanding of a frontline fighter air base, in Lohagaon, under South Western Air Command.^[13][14] His staff appointments include Air Attaché with Royal Malaysian Air Force where he trained Malaysian fighter pilots on SU-30 MKM.^[15][16]

As an air vice marshal, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector Strategy) in Strategic Forces Command^[1] and later as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Offensive Operations at IAF Headquarters.^[1] He also served as Air Officer Commanding of Advanced HQ, Eastern Air Command.^[1][17]

After being promoted to the rank of air marshal, he was appointed as the Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command.^[18] A year later, on 3 October 2024, he assumed the appointment of Director General Air Operations (DGAO). As the DGAO, he played a vital role in India's Operation Sindoor.^[18][19] On 1 June 2025, Air Marshal Bharti took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff^[1] with responsibilities of overseeing defense innovation^[20][21] in collaboration with industry and academia^[22][23] and indigenisation efforts^[24][25] besides long-term strategic planning and leadership of defense personnel.^[26][27]

The air marshal is married to Wing Commander Sangeeta Malla (Retd).^[17][15] They are blessed with two children.^[15] The air marshal’s hobbies include reading, swimming, playing golf and walking.^[28]

During his career, the air marshal has been awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025,^[29] the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024^[30] and the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008.^[31] He has also received commendations from the Chief of Air Staff.^[1]