Wing Commander Jagdish Singh Dalal was commissioned in December 1964. During his service career, he has distinguished himself in various challenging assignments at Wings and Equipment Depots.

During 1970-71, he excelled himself in the field of indigenous substitution of technical spares, which resulted in substantial saving of foreign exchange, for which he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff. Later, as Officer Commanding of an Equipment Depot, he took over aircraft equipment of the MiG-25 aircraft in record time which contributed substantially to the operational efficiency of the Air Force.

Wing Commander JS Dalal was posted to Air Headquarters on 04 July 83 and was entrusted with the responsibilities of finalisation of Courts of Inquiry, audit object ions and loss statements on stores losses, in addition to Annual Audit Certificates and Appropriation Accounts and Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. A sizeable number of them pertained to occurrences which were between three and twenty three years old and were causing grave concern at the highest level at Air Headquarters and Ministry of Defence. Undeterred by the heavy arrears and undaunted by the regular inflow of fresh cases, he formulated a crash plan and with his varied experience, missionary zeal and an analytical mind, he evaluated the circumstances under which those occurrences had taken place and made fresh comprehensive statements. His untiring efforts resulted in regularisation of a large number of outstanding cases, within the powers of the CAS.

For his outstanding devotion to duty, exceptional initiative, high professional knowledge, a keen sense of perception, sound pragmatic approach and untiring efforts extending beyond normal working hours, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Jagdish Singh Dalal.

Air Commodore JS Dalal was commissioned on 23 Dec 64. Since then he has accomplished many challenging tasks in Flying Stations/EDs, BRDs and Air HQs thereby making an outstanding contribution to the operational preparedness of the IAF.

In 1968, as CLO of 28 ED AF, he, with his innovative approach and initiative, sourced and procured indigenised spares of T10 French Rockets which gave unlimited lease of life to this weapon resulting in substantial saving of foreign exchange. As CO 29ED, he rationalised the Local Purchase System which yielded an yearly savings of Rs.35 lacs. AVSM 1998 As DDMA at Air HQs he cleared all the outstanding losses of stores and audit objections and greatly pruned his Dte which resulted in a recurring saving to State. He was commended by AOC-in-C, CAS and was awarded VSM.

As AOC 24ED with his indefatigable drive, he reduced inventory holdings by 50%, gave a big boost to computerisation and vigourously carried out commonality establishment which resulted in colossal savings to state. The depot was judged at 70.70% by DMI and bagged the best ED trophy of the year.

As Director of Purchase he brought about in house organisational changes which resulted in placing of 720 contracts and clearance of 1833 invoices in a record time liquidating all the indents prior to 1996. A detailed systematic analysis by him led to sourcing and procurement of 390 difficult-to-get items from OEMs at much lower prices than those of principal manufacturers which resulted in big saving of foreign exchange. He also initiated cases on enhancement of financial powers/release of FFE through MOD which when approved would result in perceptible change in centralised procurement system.

Air Cmde Jagdish Singh Dalal VSM has thus rendered distinguished services of an exceptional order.