Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Shakti Sharma has made history by becoming the first woman non-medical officer in the Indian defence forces to achieve the rank of Air Vice Marshal or its equivalent.
The milestone makes Sharma the first woman officer in the Indian Armed Forces to reach this level. In the Army and Navy, women officers have so far risen to the rank of Colonel and equivalent.
Shakti Sharma Takes Charge at Air Headquarters
On Tuesday, AVM Shakti Sharma assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters. The Ministry of Defence described her appointment as a landmark achievement and a new chapter in the journey of women officers in India’s defence forces.
Sharma was commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 18, 1994. Over more than three decades of service, she has worked across various training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
During her career, she has led several important institutional initiatives. These include establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT-Kanpur and Pune University to promote academic and strategic defence collaboration.
She also became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Permanent Commission Helped Expand Opportunities
A key factor behind the progress of women officers in the IAF was the decision to grant them Permanent Commission in 2010. Since then, the IAF has expanded opportunities for women’s promotion and career development, including participation in various career courses.
The Army and Navy began granting Permanent Commission to women officers in select arms, services and branches in 2008. Following Supreme Court intervention, this was expanded to several other branches in 2020.
Despite these changes, reaching the rank of Air Vice Marshal remains highly competitive because promotions depend on limited vacancies as officers move through the ranks.
Women Officers Continue to Break Barriers
Women officers in the IAF have achieved several milestones in recent years. In 2023, Group Captain Shaliza Dhami became the first woman IAF officer to command a frontline combat unit, taking charge of a missile squadron in the western sector facing Pakistan.
Last month, Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot to clear the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment in Gwalior.
AVM Shakti Sharma’s promotion now marks another significant milestone for women in India’s defence forces.
