40 Officers Graduate from IAF’s Elite Instrument Rating Course at Hindan

A total of 40 officers successfully graduated from the 23rd Combined Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner (CIRIE) Course conducted by the Aircrew Examining Board (AEB), reaffirming the Indian Air Force’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and operational excellence.

The valedictory ceremony was held at Air Force Station Hindan on Friday. The AEB, entrusted with upholding and enhancing flying standards within the Indian Air Force (IAF), described the six-week programme as a reflection of its unwavering focus on excellence in aviation training and assessment.

The course saw strong tri-service participation, with 32 officers from the IAF, two from the Indian Army, and two from the Indian Navy. Additionally, four officers from friendly foreign nations — Kenya, Uganda, and Madagascar — participated in the programme, underlining India’s growing role as a global knowledge hub in aviation training and the increasing emphasis on international defence cooperation.

Also Read: VP Radhakrishnan Urges 1.2 Lakh DU Graduates to Build Developed India by 2047

The intensive curriculum comprised four weeks of ground training followed by two weeks of flying training. The blended structure was designed to equip officers with the expertise required to evaluate instrument flying — a critical capability for conducting operations in adverse weather, low-visibility conditions, and complex tactical environments. The course also reinforced inter-service synergy, reflecting deeper operational integration among India’s armed forces.

The ceremony was reviewed by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, AVSM, VM, Director General (Inspection & Safety), whose operational experience added significance to the occasion. Wing Commanders Deepak Awasthi, Vishal Joshi, and Rohit Tiwari were felicitated for standing first in the order of merit among aircrew from fighter, transport, and helicopter streams, respectively.

The graduation comes amid heightened operational preparedness within the IAF. A day earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed a major display of air power during the Vayushakti-26 exercise at Pokhran, highlighting the force’s precision, speed, and growing indigenous capabilities under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Also Read: New Arbitration Centre in Gujarat Aims to Ensure Fair, Timely Justice for All Parties