The veteran Indian Air Force officer has made history after more than three decades of distinguished service.
New Delhi: Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has created history by becoming the first non-medical woman officer in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the two-star rank of Air Vice Marshal or its equivalent.
She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone for women serving in the Indian Armed Forces.
Commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 18, 1994, Sharma has more than three decades of distinguished service. Throughout her career, she has served at training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
She has also led several important academic and institutional initiatives. These include establishing the IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University to promote academic research and strategic defence collaboration.
Sharma had previously made history as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. She served as the principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Her elevation to the rank of Air Vice Marshal represents another important step towards greater representation of women in senior leadership positions within the Indian Defence Forces.
With her extensive experience and pioneering achievements, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma continues to inspire future generations to follow the Indian Air Force motto, “Touch the Sky with Glory.”
