Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, a highly respected figure in military healthcare, has been honored with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) by President Droupadi Murmu during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This prestigious recognition underscores her exemplary service and significant contributions within the Armed Forces Medical Services.
Currently, Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin holds the position of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), marking a historic achievement as the first woman to lead this tri-service medical establishment. She assumed this critical role on October 1, 2024, becoming the highest-ranking woman officer in the annals of the Indian Armed Forces.
Her military journey began when she was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services on December 26, 1985. An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, she completed her MBBS before further specializing in Radiology and Radiation Oncology. Additionally, she received advanced training in Gamma Knife Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, enhancing her expertise in this specialized field.
Over nearly four decades of dedicated service, Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin has earned a unique distinction by serving across all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, and Air Force. She has previously served as Director General Medical Services (Air) with the rank of Air Marshal and also held the position of Director General Medical Services (Navy) prior to assuming her current appointment.
Her extensive contributions to military healthcare include key roles at several prominent medical facilities, such as INHS Asvini, INHS Dhanvantari, INHS Kalyani, and Army Hospital (Research & Referral). During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in establishing quarantine protocols and innovative healthcare solutions tailored for the Armed Forces.
In addition to her clinical duties, Vice Admiral Sarin is a recognized authority in Radiation Oncology. She has made substantial contributions to medical education and research, fulfilling roles as a professor, examiner, and academic mentor, and publishing extensively in both national and international medical journals.
Her commitment to service has been acknowledged with various awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), as well as commendations from the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff, among others.
The recent conferment of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal highlights Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin’s outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and her pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces Medical Services, thereby advancing healthcare and operational medical support for India’s defense forces.
