Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, born in 1995 in Phulwariya, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is the first and only woman pilot to fly India’s Rafale fighter jet. Growing up in a modest family, with her father Kumareshwar Singh running a tours and travels business and her mother Seema Singh working as a teacher, Shivangi’s passion for aviation was sparked early. Visits to the Indian Air Force Museum in Delhi with her maternal grandfather, a retired Army colonel, fueled her dream of flying. A graduate of Banaras Hindu University, she joined the 7 UP Air Squadron NCC, setting the stage for her Air Force career.
Breaking Barriers in the Indian Air Force
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December 2017 as part of its second batch of women fighter pilots, Shivangi initially flew the MiG-21 Bison, a challenging aircraft requiring exceptional piloting skills. Stationed at a Rajasthan border base, she trained alongside Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a national hero known for downing a Pakistani F-16 in 2019. In 2020, after rigorous conversion training, Shivangi was selected to pilot the Rafale, joining the 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows” in Ambala, Punjab. Her selection marked a historic milestone as the first woman to fly India’s advanced multi-role fighter jet.
Achievements and Recognition
Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh career is studded with firsts. In 2022, she became the second woman fighter pilot to feature in the IAF’s Republic Day tableau, showcasing the Rafale alongside other advanced aircraft. In 2023, she participated in Exercise Orion in France, the IAF’s first overseas deployment of Rafale jets, earning praise for her skill in multinational wargames. She has also flown missions over eastern Ladakh amid tensions with China, demonstrating the Rafale’s reliability in high-stakes operations. Known as “Rafale Rani,” Shivangi’s journey culminated in her leading the IAF tableau at the 2022 Republic Day parade.
Role in Operation Sindoor
During the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions under Operation Sindoor, sparked by a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, Shivangi’s expertise as a Rafale pilot has been critical. With the IAF on high alert, her role in the Golden Arrows squadron underscores India’s aerial dominance, particularly in countering Pakistani missile and drone attacks. Her experience in high-intensity missions positions her as a key asset in maintaining air superiority.
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Vision and Impact
Lieutenant Shivangi Singh aspires to become an astronaut, eyeing ISRO’s upcoming manned space mission. In interviews, she emphasizes gender equality in the IAF, noting that training and responsibilities are identical for men and women. “I succeeded in a field long reserved for men, and if I can do it, anyone can,” she told AFP. Her story inspires countless young women, proving that determination and skill can shatter glass ceilings. Shivangi’s message to aspiring pilots is clear: “Believe in yourself and dream big.”
