AVM Shakti Sharma Becomes First Non-Medical Woman Officer In Defence Forces To Wear Two-Star Rank
SUNIL NEGI / New Delhi, 1 Sept 2026
In a historic first for the Indian Armed Forces, a woman officer from the non-medical stream has been elevated to the two-star rank, equivalent to Air Vice Marshal.
According to latest information, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first non-medical woman officer in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the two-star rank of Air Vice Marshal and equivalent.
On 01 September 2026, she assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s Education Branch in 1994, AVM Shakti Sharma has served for over three decades across training establishments, field stations, Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.
She had earlier created history as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Her promotion marks a landmark moment for women in India’s Armed Forces and an inspiring new chapter in the IAF’s history.
