Who is Shakti Sharma? First woman non-medical officer in IAF who rose to Air Vice Marshal rank after 32 years of service

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in India's defence forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent, marking a major milestone in the history of women in the country's armed forces.

Sharma reached the rank after around 32 years of service in the Indian Air Force. From joining the Education Branch in 1994 to serving in training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters, her career has included several roles in military education and institutional leadership. She has now taken charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education).

Who is Shakti Sharma?

Shakti Sharma is an Indian Air Force officer who began her military career in the Education Branch after being commissioned on June 18, 1994.


Over more than three decades, she has held appointments across different parts of the IAF, including training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.

She previously held the rank of Air Commodore and has now been elevated to Air Vice Marshal. Her latest appointment places her in charge of an important education-related role at the Air Headquarters.

When did Shakti Sharma join the IAF?

Sharma was commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 18, 1994.

Her career has since spanned around 32 years, during which she gained experience in a variety of assignments across the service. Her postings have taken her from training institutions and field stations to command headquarters and the Air Headquarters.

Her latest promotion represents the culmination of a long career that began in a branch focused on military education.

Shakti Sharma's Sainik School achievement

Sharma had already created history before her elevation to Air Vice Marshal.

She became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. She served as the principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala, taking on a leadership role in an institution that prepares students for careers in the armed forces and other fields.

The appointment gave her experience in running a major educational institution and added a significant command responsibility to her IAF career.

Her work with IIT Kanpur and Pune University

Military education has remained an important part of Sharma's professional journey.

During her career, she spearheaded the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University. The initiatives were designed to encourage academic engagement and strengthen collaboration between the Air Force and universities on strategic defence issues.

Her work in this area reflects the wider responsibilities she has undertaken during her years in the Education Branch.

Sharma's career across the IAF

Sharma's service has not been limited to educational institutions.

Her postings have covered training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters, giving her experience across different levels of the organisation.

The range of these assignments has accompanied her progression through the ranks, from her commissioning in 1994 to her earlier position as Air Commodore and now Air Vice Marshal.

What is her new role?

On September 1, Sharma assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.

The appointment brings her back into a senior position directly connected with education, the branch through which she entered the IAF more than three decades ago.

Her responsibilities will come at a time when education, training and specialised professional development remain important components of the armed forces' evolving requirements.

Why is Shakti Sharma's promotion significant?

Sharma's elevation is historic because she is the first woman non-medical officer in India's defence forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.

Her achievement adds another milestone to the growing list of senior positions being occupied by women officers in India's armed forces. It is also notable because her career has progressed through the non-medical stream rather than the medical services.

Her earlier achievement as the first woman Tri-Services officer to command a Sainik School further adds to the significance of her latest promotion.

A career marked by milestones

Sharma's career has brought together military education, institutional leadership, academic collaboration and service at different levels of the IAF.

She joined the Education Branch in 1994, went on to command Sainik School, Kapurthala, helped establish IAF Chairs of Excellence at two universities and served across several IAF establishments.

Now, after around 32 years of service, she has become the first woman non-medical officer in India's defence forces to reach the Air Vice Marshal rank.

Her elevation represents another important step in the changing profile of women serving in India's armed forces and gives a new dimension to the IAF's longstanding motto, "Touch the Sky with Glory".

(With agency inputs)