In a historic milestone for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian defence forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal (or equivalent). On 1 September 2026, she assumed the appointment of assistant chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.

Commissioned into the Education Branch of the IAF on 18 June 1994, AVM Shakti Sharma brings a wealth of experience to her new role, spanning diverse postings across training establishments, field stations, command headquarters, and air headquarters. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded key institutional initiatives, including establishing the IAF chairs of excellence at IlT Kanpur and Pune University to drive academic and strategic defence collaboration. She also created history as the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.

This landmark achievemenț marks a new chapter in the journey of women officers in the Indian defence forces. With over three decades of distinguished service, she continues to inspire generations to ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’.