New Delhi: Air Marshal Vivek Hande, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Medical Services (Air) on September 1, 2026, on permanent secondment to the Indian Air Force. An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and the National Defence College, New Delhi, he was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1988. A gastroenterologist of national repute, Air Marshal Hande has held several specialist, clinical, administrative and senior leadership appointments during his distinguished career.
Air Marshal Vivek Hande has the unique distinction of serving in all three Services of the Defence Forces. As a Flag Officer, he commanded the Indian Naval Hospital Ship Asvini and subsequently served as Senior Consultant (Medicine). On elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral, he held the important appointment of Director General (Organisation & Personnel) in the Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, where he was responsible for key organisational and personnel matters. He has now assumed his present appointment as DGMS (Air), bringing with him extensive experience in military medicine, healthcare administration, clinical practice and leadership across the Defence Services.
