On February 1, 2026, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia took over the Eastern Air Command, succeeding Air Marshal Surat Singh.

On February 1, 2026, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command, succeeding retiring Air Marshal Surat Singh. A 1988 commissionee, Walia has over 3,200 accident-free flying hours and is qualified on multiple fighter jets. He previously served as Senior Air Staff Officer at the Eastern Air Command and held key command and staff roles, including Defence Attaché in Japan and South Korea. On the same day, Air Marshal Devendra P. Hirani assumed the role of Senior Air Staff Officer, bringing nearly 5,000 flying hours and experience in command, staff, and UN peacekeeping missions. The Eastern Air Command is vital for defending India’s eastern and northeastern borders.