The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff(currently Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha). The position was held by an Air Commodore (1919-1923), by an Air Vice-Marshal (1923-1929) and by an Air Marshal (1929-1965). In 1965, the position was upgraded to that of an Air Chief Marshal. The highest rank in the IAF is Marshal of the Air Force, which is conferred by the President of India only in exceptional circumstances. It has only been given once in January 2002 to Arjan Singh. The rank is equal to five star General and a Field Marshal in the Army.
| Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force | |
 Incumbent: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha since: December 31, 2013 | |
| First | Air Marshal Thomas Elmhirst |
|---|---|
| Formation | August 15, 1947 |
| Website | Indian Air Force |
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Marshal of the Air Force
Only once has this rank ever been given:
- Arjan Singh - Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002 (the highest rank ever given in the history of the Indian Air force). It is equal to a five star General or a Field Marshal in an Army.
Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/