Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the Indian Air Force’s first woman Rafale pilot, has reached a significant career milestone by officially earning her Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge. This achievement comes in the wake of erroneous claims from certain Pakistani media outlets that she had been captured following the recent military operation known as Operation Sindoor.
The valedictory ceremony for the 159th Qualified Flying Instructor Course (QFIC) took place at the Flying Instructors School (FIS) at Air Force Station Tambaram. Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, serving as the Chief Guest, presided over the ceremony on October 9, where 59 officers from the Indian Air Force, various sister services, and allied foreign countries were awarded the prestigious QFI badge. This honor signifies exceptional flying skill, instructional ability, and a commitment to professional excellence.
In conjunction with this event, the Indian Air Force released an official photograph of Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, her first appearance post-Operation Sindoor. This image reaffirms her active service and dedication to the nation, countering the unfounded narrative propagated by some Pakistani sources.
In recent weeks, various social media platforms and fringe media in Pakistan had made unsubstantiated claims that Squadron Leader Singh was captured after her aircraft was involved in incidents near Sialkot. These rumors attempted to undermine the Indian Air Force’s operational achievements during Operation Sindoor. The timely release of her photograph by the IAF effectively refuted this misinformation, reinstating clarity and spotlighting her ongoing participation in India’s defense operations.
Shivangi Singh’s remarkable journey began when she was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2017, making history as the first female pilot to fly the Rafale fighter aircraft. As a key member of the acclaimed Golden Arrows Squadron stationed in Ambala, she has actively participated in multiple operational missions and training exercises, notably playing a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, which showcased India’s dominance in the air during heightened tensions with Pakistan in May 2025.
Renowned for her composure under pressure, exceptional flying skills, and leadership, Shivangi Singh serves as an inspiring role model for women aspiring to enter combat aviation. Her ascent from Varanasi to the cockpit of a Rafale aircraft is a testament to the progressive strides being made in gender representation within the armed forces, encouraging a new generation of Indian youth, especially young girls, to pursue careers in aviation and the military.
