Suraj Kumar Jha

{{Infobox military person

| honorific_prefix = Air Marshal

| name = Suraj Kumar Jha

| honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM

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| image = File:Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha.jpg

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| allegiance = {{Country|India}}

| branch = {{Air force|India}}

| serviceyears = 8 Jun 1984 – 31 August 2023

| rank = 24px Air Marshal

| servicenumber = 17445

| unit = No. 7 Squadron

| commands = Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff

| battles = Kargil War

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| awards = Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

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Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha, PVSM, AVSM is a retired officer in the Indian Air Force who last served as the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel. He assumed the office on 1 August 2021 succeeding Air Marshal Richard John Duckworth. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi succeeding Air Marshal Sandeep Singh.{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1741973|title= AIR MARSHAL SURAJ KUMAR JHA AVSMASSUMES CHARGE AS AIR OFFICER IN CHARGE PERSONNEL|publisher=PIB|access-date=2021-08-03}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/air-marshal-suraj-kumar-jha-takes-over-as-air-officer-in-charge-personnel20210804021801/|title=Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha takes over as Air Officer in Charge Personnel|publisher=ANI|date=2021-08-04}}

Early life and education

Suraj Kumar Jha was born in Madhubani, Bihar, on 15 August 1963. He joined Sainik School Tilaiya and from there he joined the National Defence Academy. There he was the all India UPSC topper in 1980. Suraj Kumar Jha is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College.{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/17445|title=Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2021-08-06}}

Career

Suraj Kumar Jha was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 8 June 1984. In a distinguish career spanning 37 years, he has flown a variety of fighter and trainer aircraft with more than 2900 hours of operational flying.{{cite web|url=http://www.ddnews.gov.in/national/air-marshal-suraj-kumar-jha-assumes-charge-air-officer-charge-personnel|title=Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha assumes charge as Air Officer In Charge Personnel|publisher=DD News|date=2021-08-04}}

With a career of 37 years in the IAF, he was the commanding officer of a front line fighter aircraft squadron and a fighter base. As an Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Air Officer Commanding Advance Headquarters, was the Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. He is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.{{cite web|url=https://www.defencestar.in/military/air-force/defence-news-india-air-marshal-rj-duckworth-takes-charge-of-crucial-air-command-at-pakistan-border/2599/|title= Air Marshal RJ Duckworth takes charge of crucial air command at Pakistan border |publisher=Defenstar|date=2019-12-16}}

Honours and decorations

During his career, Suraj Kumar Jha was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 and was Mention-in-Despatches by Chief of the Air Staff in 1999 for his actions in Kargil War.{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1893742|title= President approves 412 Gallantry awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day|publisher=PIB|date=2023-01-25}}

style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

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style="text-align:center;"|Param Vishisht Seva Medal

|style="text-align:center;"|Ati Vishisht Seva Medal