Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in India's defence forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent, marking a major milestone in the history of women in the country's armed forces.
Sharma reached the rank after around 32 years of service in the Indian Air Force. From joining the Education Branch in 1994 to serving in training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters, her career has included several roles in military education and institutional leadership. She has now taken charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education).
