AVM SHAKTI SHARMA SCRIPTS HISTORY AS FIRST (NON-MEDICAL) WOMAN TWO-STAR OFFICER IN THE DEFENCE SERVICES

Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Shakti Sharma has become the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Forces to reach the two-star rank. Commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 18, 1994, AVM Sharma has served for over three decades in various training, field, and headquarters roles. Her career highlights include establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University to foster academic and strategic collaboration. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, having served as the Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala. As of September 1, 2026, she has assumed the position of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education).