First Non-Medical Woman Reaches Two-Star Rank in Indian Air Force

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has made history by becoming the first woman officer from a non-medical branch of the Indian armed forces to attain the two-star rank. She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Education at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone for women in the military. The Indian Air Force announced the development, describing it as a landmark achievement. Sharma's elevation to the rank of Air Vice Marshal or its equivalent is a first for a woman officer outside the medical or nursing services.