NEW DELHI: In a historic milestone for the Indian Air Force Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal (or equivalent). On September 1, 2026, she assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.
Commissioned into the Education Branch of the IAF on June 18, 1994, AVM Shakti Sharma brings a wealth of experience to her new role, spanning diverse postings across Training Establishments, Field Stations, Command Headquarters, and Air Headquarters. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded key institutional initiatives, including establishing the IAF Chairs of Excellence at IlT Kanpur and Pune University to drive academic and strategic defense collaboration. She also created history as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
𝐀 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞
➡️Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal (or equivalent). She assumed the appointment of… pic.twitter.com/6PWdo5qKom
— DD India (@DDIndialive) September 2, 2026
Smriti Irani, National General Secretary of the BJP lauded Sharma on her accomplishment and stated, “It reflects an India where women are increasingly taking their rightful place at the highest levels of leadership, responsibility and service to the nation.”
A historic milestone for India’s Nari Shakti and our Armed Forces. 🇮🇳
Heartiest congratulations to Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma on becoming the first woman non-medical officer in the Indian Defence Services to attain the two-star rank, as she assumes charge as Assistant Chief… pic.twitter.com/kF3IeMVOmZ
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) September 1, 2026
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta too hailed Sharma for shattering the glass ceiling and stated, “Heartiest congratulations to Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma on becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical stream of the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.”
Heartiest congratulations to Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma on becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical stream of the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
From commanding a Sainik School to now serving as Assistant Chief of the… pic.twitter.com/ApfvZjNbmm
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) September 2, 2026
This landmark achievement marks a new chapter in the journey of women officers in the Indian Defence Forces. With over three decades of distinguished service, she continues to inspire generations to “Touch the Sky with Glory”.
