Shakti Sharma Becomes First Woman Non-Medical Air Vice Marshal

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma assumed the role of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) on September 1, 2026, becoming the first woman from the non-medical branch to reach this rank.

Commissioned into the IAF Education Branch on June 18, 1994, she previously served as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School in Kapurthala.

Her appointment marks a historic milestone for the Indian Armed Forces, following over three decades of service that included establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.