New Delhi. Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has created history by becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal, or its equivalent.

On September 1, 2026, she assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.

Commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 18, 1994, AVM Sharma brings more than three decades of experience across Training Establishments, Field Stations, Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.

Her career has also focused on strengthening the connection between the Armed Forces and academia. She played a key role in establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence atBI Burea IIT Kanpur and Pune University, aimed at promoting academic engagement and strategic defence collaboration.

AVM Sharma has another significant first to her credit. She became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala.

Her latest elevation adds another milestone to a career marked by leadership in education, training and institutional development. It also marks a new chapter in the growing presence of women in senior leadership roles across India’s Armed Forces.

BI Bureau