Air Marshal Makarand Ranade took over the position of Director General (Inspection and Safety) [DG (I&S)] at Air HQ New Delhi on December 1, 2023.
An alumnus of the National Defence College in New Delhi and the College Interarmée de Defense in Paris, France, the Air Marshal was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. Over his 36-year career, he has held various significant field and staff positions, including commanding a fighter squadron and two flying stations. He also served as a directing staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and the Defence Services Staff College. Additionally, he served as Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Kabul, Afghanistan. His staff appointments at Air HQ include Director, Personnel Officers, Principal Director, Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Space). Before assuming his current role, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Western Air Command in New Delhi.
Air Marshal Ranade was honored with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 2006 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.
He succeeds Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, who retired on November 30, 2023, after a distinguished service of more than 38 years.