Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, the outgoing Chief of the Air Staff, called on President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Friday, 30 October 2026, a day before completing his service in the Indian Air Force. He was accompanied by his wife, Sarita Singh, during the meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President’s Secretariat confirmed the meeting in a post on X. Air Chief Marshal Singh is scheduled to retire on 31 October after 42 years of service in the IAF. The formal programme will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial and an inspection of a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh along with spouse Smt Sarita Singh called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
The outgoing Air Chief had also met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ahead of his retirement. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Minister hosted a formal farewell for Air Chief Marshal Singh on 26 October, before leaving for a foreign visit.
Ministry credits leadership during Operation Sindoor
At the farewell, Rajnath Singh commended Air Chief Marshal Singh for his distinguished service, leadership and contribution to the IAF and the country. The Defence Minister also acknowledged the role played by the outgoing Chief of the Air Staff in the execution of Operation Sindoor and in strengthening the capabilities of the air force, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The operation was referenced in the context of Air Chief Marshal Singh’s tenure, during which the IAF carried out actions against Pakistani terror hideouts, as described in the account of his retirement. Operational claims relating to the operation remain attributable to the authorities that made them; the Ministry of Defence’s farewell message focused on the Chief of the Air Staff’s leadership and the IAF’s capability development.
Final ceremonial engagements
On 31 October, Air Chief Marshal Singh will first lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in tribute to personnel who were killed in service. He will then inspect the ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi before superannuating from the IAF.
- 30 October 2026: Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh called on President Droupadi Murmu.
- 31 October 2026: He is scheduled to retire from the Indian Air Force.
- 26 October 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held his formal farewell.
Air Chief Marshal Singh undertook his maiden flight on 28 January 1984. His retirement follows a career spanning four decades in the IAF, including his tenure as Chief of the Air Staff during Operation Sindoor and the service’s continuing effort to strengthen its operational capabilities.
