Shakti Sharma (Air Vice Marshal) Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About Shakti Sharma

• Shakti Sharma was commissioned into Education Branch of the Indian Air Force as part of the 3 SSC (W) G Course.
  

  Shakti Sharma, when she was commissioned in Indian Air Force in 1994

• During the early part of her career, she served in different training establishments and field stations.

• She later was appointed at Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.

• On 18 June 2007, Shakti was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander after completing more than 13 years in the IAF.

• On 7 August 2015, she became the first woman officer from the Army, Navy or Air Force to became the Principal of a Sainik School. She took charge of Sainik School, Kapurthala.

• Fron 2015 to 2017, as Principal, Shakti looked after the school’s academics, discipline and overall administration. She served in the post until 29 May 2017.

• On 5 January 2017, she was promoted to Group Captain and became the first woman in the IAF to reach the Select Group Captain rank outside the Medical Branch.

• On 31 March 2018, Shakti Sharma completed the 13 HDMC course as a Group Captain.

• In 2020, she was involved in strengthening co-operation between the IAF and universities. She was associated with the IAF Chair of Excellence at IIT Kanpur.

• As a Group Captain at 13 HDMC course, she helped in establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.

• On 1 December 2024, she was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore.

• From 2024 to 2026, she continued serving in different training establishments, field stations, Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.

• On 1 Sepetember 2026, Shakti was promoted to Air Vice Marshal and became the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in India’s Defence Services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

• On the same day, he assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.

• As of September 2026, Shakti Sharma has completed more than 32 years in the Indian Air Force in various departments including field stations, Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.