Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma Makes Indian Armed Forces History

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first female officer in a non-medical branch to attain this elite rank.

Breaking gender barriers in defense, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has scripted history within the Indian Armed Forces. She has officially become the very first woman officer in a non-medical branch across the entire tri-services to achieve the prestigious two-star rank. Sharma has taken command as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) stationed at the Air Headquarters. Her historic promotion marks a massive progressive shift for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has steadily worked to integrate women into core operational, command, and leadership positions that were historically reserved exclusively for male officers.