AVM Shakti Sharma Creates History as First Non-Medical Woman Two-Star Officer

New Delhi: Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has scripted history by becoming the first woman non-medical officer in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent. She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026.Commissioned into the Indian Air Force Education Branch on June 18, 1994, AVM Sharma has served across training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters. She played a key role in establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University, strengthening academic and defence collaboration.She also became the first woman Tri-Services officer to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for women in India’s armed forces.