Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has created history by becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
The landmark achievement represents a major milestone in the growing participation of women in India’s Armed Forces.
On September 1, 2026, Shakti Sharma assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, marking her elevation to the prestigious two-star rank.
Shakti Sharma Becomes First Non-Medical Woman Air Vice Marshal
- The achievement is particularly significant because Shakti Sharma is the first woman officer from a non-medical branch of India’s Defence Services to reach the Air Vice Marshal rank or its equivalent.
- The milestone breaks a longstanding barrier in senior military leadership and highlights the expanding role of women beyond traditionally limited areas of military service.
- The Indian Air Force described her elevation as a historic milestone in the journey of women officers in the Indian Defence Forces.
From IAF Education Branch to Two-Star Rank
Shakti Sharma was commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 18, 1994.
Over more than three decades, she has served in a wide range of assignments, including positions at:
- Training establishments
- Field stations
- Command headquarters
- Air Headquarters
Her career has combined military service with education, institutional development and strategic academic initiatives.
Her journey from joining the IAF Education Branch in 1994 to becoming an Air Vice Marshal more than three decades later makes the promotion particularly notable.
New Role as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education)
- Following her elevation, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma took charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1.
- The appointment places her in an important position overseeing education-related responsibilities within the Indian Air Force.
- Her professional background in the Education Branch makes the appointment especially relevant to her long career in military education and institutional development.
A Career Spanning More Than Three Decades
Shakti Sharma’s career began in 1994, giving her more than 30 years of service in the Indian Air Force.
During this period, she gained experience across multiple types of establishments and responsibilities.
Her career highlights include:
- 1994: Commissioned into the IAF Education Branch.
- Career progression: Served across training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
- Academic initiatives: Contributed to establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.
- Sainik School: Became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
- September 1, 2026: Became the first non-medical woman officer in India’s Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent and assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education).