Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has made history by becoming the first non-medical woman officer in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the 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.
Her elevation marks a significant milestone for women officers serving in non-medical branches of India's defence forces.
Who Is Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma?
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma is an officer of the Indian Air Force's Education Branch. She was commissioned into the IAF on June 18, 1994.
Over her career spanning more than three decades, she has served at training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
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Sharma has also held several important positions in the field of military education and training.
She became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala.
She also contributed to strengthening links between defence institutions and academia, including through the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.
Why Is Her Elevation Significant?
Sharma's elevation to the rank of Air Vice Marshal marks a significant milestone in the careers of women officers in India's defence forces.
As the first woman officer from a non-medical branch to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or its equivalent, her appointment highlights the growing presence of women in senior leadership roles across the armed forces.
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Her career has included several pioneering achievements, including becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to head a Sainik School.
With her latest appointment as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education), Sharma has added another significant milestone to her career in the Indian Air Force.
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