Why Air Officer Shakti Sharma attaining Air Vice Marshal rank is a historic feat
She assumed the position of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, bringing her extensive experience from over three decades of service
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma's career is marked by significant contributions, including spearheading initiatives like the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at prominent universities and becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. This advancement represents a new era for women in the Indian defence forces, inspiring future generations.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma's career is marked by significant contributions, including spearheading initiatives like the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at prominent universities and becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. This advancement represents a new era for women in the Indian defence forces, inspiring future generations.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma's career is marked by significant contributions, including spearheading initiatives like the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at prominent universities and becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. This advancement represents a new era for women in the Indian defence forces, inspiring future generations.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first non-medical woman officer in the history of India's armed forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal. She assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, reports said.
The air officer previously held the rank of Air Commodore, an IAF official said.
"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)," the Defence Ministry said.
Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay was the first woman medical officer to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal (2-star rank). According to reports, she managed the feat in 2002. She later went on to become India’s first woman Air Marshal.
Meet AVM Shakti Sharma
Commissioned into the Education Branch of the IAF on June 18, 1994, AVM Sharma brings a wealth of experience to her new role, spanning diverse postings across training establishments, field stations, command headquarters, and Air Headquarters, it said.
Throughout her career, she has spearheaded key institutional initiatives, including the establishment of the IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University to drive academic and strategic defence collaboration. She also made history as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as the Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
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' — the motto of the IAF," the ministry said in a statement.