Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Shakti Sharma Becomes First Woman Air Vice Marshal
Shakti Sharma is a senior officer in the Indian Air Force.
She has become the first non-medical woman officer in India’s defence services to reach the rank of Air Vice Marshal.
She reached this milestone on September 1, 2026.
She also began a new job at Air Headquarters as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Education.
Sharma joined the Air Force Education Branch in 1994.
During her career, she worked in training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
She helped create partnerships between the Air Force and universities.
She was also the first woman Tri-Services officer to command a Sainik School.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman officer in India’s defence services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026.
Sharma was commissioned into the Indian Air Force Education Branch on June 18, 1994, beginning a career spanning more than three decades.
She helped establish IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University to strengthen defence-academic cooperation.
Sharma previously became the first woman Tri-Services officer to command a Sainik School, serving as principal of Sainik School Kapurthala.
- Who
- Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma of the Indian Air Force.
- What
- She became the first non-medical woman officer in India’s defence services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
- When
- September 1, 2026; she assumed her new appointment on Tuesday.
- Where
- Air Headquarters in New Delhi.
- Why
- The appointment was described by the Indian Air Force and Ministry of Defence as a landmark achievement and a new chapter for women officers in the defence forces.
- Officer
- Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma
- Historic distinction
- First non-medical woman officer in India’s defence services to reach Air Vice Marshal or equivalent
- New appointment
- Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education)
- Appointment location
- Air Headquarters, New Delhi
- Air Force commission
- June 18, 1994, in the Education Branch
- Academic initiatives
- Helped establish IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University
- Earlier leadership milestone
- First woman Tri-Services officer to command a Sainik School; she served as principal of Sainik School Kapurthala
