New Delhi16 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has made history as the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent. On September 1, 2026, AVM Shakti Sharma assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.
She assumes education appointment at headquarters
Commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 18, 1994, Sharma brings more than three decades of experience across a wide range of assignments. Her career has included postings at training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
Three decades of diverse service experience
During her service, Sharma has led several significant institutional initiatives. She played a key role in establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University, aimed at strengthening academic engagement and strategic defence collaboration.
Milestone strengthens women’s leadership in defence
She also achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. She served as the Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Her elevation to the rank of Air Vice Marshal marks a significant milestone in the growing representation and leadership of women officers in the Indian Defence Forces. With more than 30 years of distinguished service, AVM Shakti Sharma’s achievement is being seen as an inspiration for future generations of women officers and a landmark moment in the history of the Indian Air Force.
