Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
{{Short description|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Air Marshal
| name = Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|AVSM|VM}}
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| office = 49th Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
| term_start = 1 June 2025
| term_end =
| predecessor = Tejinder Singh
| successor =
| office1 = Director General of Air Operations of the Indian Air force
| term_start1 = 1 October 2024
| term_end1 = 31 May 2025
| predecessor1 = Surat Singh
| successor1 = George Thomas
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| nickname = Galloping Horse
| allegiance = {{Country|India}}
| branch = {{Air force|India}}
| serviceyears = 13 June 1987 – Present
| rank = 30px Air Marshal
| military_blank1 = Service number
| military_data1 = 18781{{cite web |title=Service Record for Air Marshal Awadesh Kumar Bharti |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/18781 |website=Bharat-Rakshak |access-date=2025-06-13}}
| unit = No. 24 Squadron
| commands = No. 24 Squadron
No. 30 Squadron
Advanced Eastern Air Command
| battles = Operation Sindoor
| battles_label =
| awards = 30px Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
30px Vayu Sena Medal
| spouse = Sangeeta Bharti
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| alma_mater = Air Force Academy
National Defence Academy
Tilaiya Sainik School
}}
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, AVSM, VM (also known as Air Marshal A.K. Bharti) is the current Deputy Chief of the Air Staff{{Cite news |date=2025-06-10 |title=Lt General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal Bharti take over as deputy chiefs |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lt-general-rajiv-ghai-air-marshal-bharti-take-over-as-deputy-chiefs/articleshow/121737615.cms |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} of the Indian Air Force. He has held this position since 1 June 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/18781 |title=Service Record for Air Marshal Awadesh Kumar Bharti 18781 F(P) |website=Bharat Rakshak |access-date=2025-05-15}} Prior to this, Bharti was the Director General of Air Operations.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Prabhakar |date=13 May 2025 |editor-last=Paul |editor-first=Rohit |title="World Knows Whose Son Made India Proud": Air Marshal Bharti's Mother |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ak-bharti-awadhesh-kumar-bharti-operation-sindoor-india-pakistan-bihar-world-knows-whose-son-made-india-proud-air-marshal-bhartis-mother-8405427 |access-date=2025-05-18 |publisher=NDTV |language=en}} He played an important role in Operation Sindoor.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2025-05-12 |title=Layered air defence minimised damage from Pakistani strikes, say armed forces in joint briefing |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/12/layered-air-defence-minimised-damage-from-pakistani-strikes-say-armed-forces-in-joint-briefing |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}
Early life and education
A.K. Bharti was born in Jhunni Kala village, located in the Purnia district of Bihar.{{Cite news |title='Fark saaf hai': BJP mocks Tejashwi Yadav by comparing him with Air Marshal AK Bharti |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fark-saaf-hai-bjp-mocks-tejashwi-yadav-by-comparing-him-with-air-marshal-ak-bharti/articleshow/121177107.cms |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-05-13 |title=Bihar MP Pappu Yadav meets parents of Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti |url=https://theprint.in/india/bihar-mp-pappu-yadav-meets-parents-of-air-marshal-awadhesh-kumar-bharti/2624974/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}} His father is Jeevachhlal Yadav, a retired clerk of Kosi Project and mother is Urmila Devi.{{Cite web |title=Air Marshal Bharti’s role in Operation Sindoor fills Bihar’s Jhunni Kalan village with pride |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/air-marshal-bhartis-role-in-operation-sindoor-fills-bihars-jhunni-kalan-village-with-pride/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Operation Sindoor: He Stayed True To His Childhood Resolve, Says DGAO Bharti's Mother |url=https://www.news18.com/india/operation-sindoor-he-stayed-true-to-his-childhood-resolve-says-dgao-bhartis-mother-ws-dkl-9335415.html |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=News18 |language=en}} He is the eldest among four siblings. His second brother is a doctor, while the third brother is also in the medical field.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-13 |title=Air Marshal AK Bharti Education: झारखंड के इस स्कूल से पढ़ें हैं पाकिस्तान के छक्के छुड़ाने वाले एयर मार्शल भारती, बिहार से भी है नाता |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/education/air-marshal-ak-bharti-education-sainik-school-tilaiya-nda-role-in-operation-sindoor-purnia-bihar |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Prabhat Khabar |language=hi}} Bharti received his school education from Sainik School Tilaiya. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Who Is Air Marshal AK Bharti? DG Air Officer Who Led Operation Sindoor Media Briefing |url=https://english.jagran.com/india/who-is-air-marshal-ak-bharti-dg-air-officer-who-led-operation-sindoor-media-briefing-10236707 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=English Jagran |language=en}}{{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=http://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}} During his NDA days, Air Marshal Bharti was nicknamed ‘galloping horse’, as his crosscountry record there remained unbroken for many years.{{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}}
Military career
Bharti was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 June 1987. At the National Defence Academy in 1987, he topped his course for which he was awarded the Sword of Honour.{{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}} He has been the Commanding Officer of No. 24 Squadron and No. 30 Squadron. Bharti has been awarded three stars for accident-free flying (outstanding performance). He has received commendation from the Chief of Air Staff. When he was the Senior Air Staff Officer of the Central Air Command, he contributed to the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. He has been the Commanding Officer of the Advanced Headquarters of the Eastern Air Command.{{Cite news |last=Livemint |date=2025-05-11 |title=Who is AK Bharti, Rajiv Ghai, AN Pramod? Director Generals of Air, Military & Naval operations {{!}} Today News |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-is-ak-bharti-rajiv-ghai-an-pramod-director-generals-of-air-military-naval-operations-11746972728113.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250513031742/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-is-ak-bharti-rajiv-ghai-an-pramod-director-generals-of-air-military-naval-operations-11746972728113.html |archive-date=2025-05-13 |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=mint |language=en}}
Honours and decorations
During his career, A.K Bharti has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 for his service.{{Cite web |title=President confers 94 Distinguished Service Decorations to defence personnel |url=https://www.indianmandarins.com/news/president-confers-94-distinguished-service-decorations-to-defence-personnel/29191 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=IndianMandarins |language=en}}
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|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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| style="text-align:center;"|Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
|style="text-align:center;"|Vayu Sena Medal |