Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Shakti Sharma Becomes First Woman Non-Medical Air Vice Marshal
Shakti Sharma is a senior officer in the Indian Air Force.
She has become the first woman from a non-medical branch of India’s defence services to reach the rank of Air Vice Marshal.
This is a very senior military rank.
She has also taken charge of education-related work at Air Headquarters.
Sharma joined the Air Force Education Branch in 1994.
During her career, she worked at training institutions, field stations and headquarters.
She helped create partnerships between the Air Force and universities.
She was also the first woman officer from the three services to lead a Sainik School.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman officer in India’s armed forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
She assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1.
The Indian Air Force’s official post identifies the appointment date as September 1, 2026, while some reports state only September 1.
Sharma was commissioned into the Indian Air Force Education Branch on June 18, 1994, after previously holding the rank of Air Commodore.
Her career included establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University and commanding Sainik School Kapurthala.
- Who
- Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma, an Indian Air Force officer from the Education Branch.
- What
- She became the first non-medical woman officer in India’s defence services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent and assumed the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) appointment.
- When
- She assumed the appointment on September 1; the Indian Air Force’s official post specifies September 1, 2026.
- Where
- At Air Headquarters in New Delhi.
- Why
- The appointment is described by the Indian Air Force and Defence Ministry as a milestone for women’s representation in senior defence leadership.
- Rank
- Air Vice Marshal
- New appointment
- Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education)
- Branch
- Indian Air Force Education Branch
- Commissioned
- June 18, 1994
- Previous rank
- Air Commodore
- Academic initiatives
- IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University
- Earlier distinction
- First woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School
- School leadership
- Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala
Sources
Shakti Sharma scripts history as first woman non-medical Air Vice Marshal
AVM Shakti Sharma Scripts History As First Woman Two-Star Officer In Defence Services
Meet Shakti Sharma, India’s first woman non-medical Air Vice Marshal
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma scripts history with AVM-rank appointment
AVM Shakti Sharma Scripts History as First Woman Two-Star Officer in the Defence Services
Shakti Sharma makes history as first woman non-medical Air Vice Marshal
Who Is Shakti Sharma? First Woman Air Vice Marshal To Lead IAF Education
