Air Marshal SP Dharkar retired as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 30 April 2025, on superannuation from the Indian Air Force (IAF), after completion of 40 years of illustrious service to the nation. Air Marshal Dharkar was commissioned on 14 June 1985 as a Flying Pilot in the fighter stream of IAF and flew more than 3600 hours on different aircraft of the IAF.
He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, India and Army War College, USA.
He held several important appointments in his career including that of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the Eastern Air Command (EAC) and Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command, He also held offices of Air Defence Commander at HQ EAC and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters.
He was the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency. In recognition of his meritorious services of an exceptionally high order, the Air Marshal was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014, Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.