Shakti Sharma Makes History As First Woman Air Vice Marshal From Non-Medical Branch

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma created history on Tuesday by becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical branch to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal, a two-star rank. She is also the first woman officer from the Army, Navy or Air Force to reach this milestone.

The Ministry of Defence said Shakti Sharma took charge as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Education) at Air Force Headquarters on September 1. She previously served as an Air Commodore.

Shakti Sharma received her commission in the Indian Air Force Education Branch on June 18, 1994. Over more than three decades of service, she has held several key positions at Air Force training centres, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.

Shakti Sharma served as Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala. Her career has included extensive experience in education, training and institutional development within the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal played a key role in establishing the Indian Air Force Chair of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.

The initiative promotes academic and strategic defence collaboration between the armed forces and leading educational institutions.

Shakti Sharma’s elevation marks a significant milestone in the growing representation of women in senior leadership positions across India’s defence forces.

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