You know how sometimes a childhood moment just sticks with you? For Shivangi Singh, that moment came when she was just a little kid standing at the Air Force Museum in New Delhi. She was looking up at those massive aircraft, and something clicked. Like, this is it. That was the start of something big—though no one knew just how big at the time.
Now she’s 29, and she’s not just flying any aircraft—she’s India’s first woman Rafale fighter pilot. And if that wasn’t already a huge deal, guess what? She’s now thinking about space.
It All Started With a Childhood Visit to a Museum
Rewind nearly 20 years. Shivangi visits the Air Force Museum in Delhi for the first time. Just a regular day, right? But for her, it was kind of life-changing. She saw those fighter jets up close and decided, right then and there, that she wanted to be a pilot. That kind of clarity at such a young age? Pretty rare.
In her words, she said she was "mesmerized." And honestly, who wouldn’t be? Standing under those giants of the sky—it leaves a mark. That moment sparked something in her that never really faded. And that’s where the dream really took off.
Breaking Barriers in the Sky
Fast forward to 2015. That’s when the Indian Air Force finally opened up the fighter pilot stream to women. Shivangi didn’t waste any time—she went for it. Not only did she join, but she went on to fly one of the most advanced jets in the world: the French-made Rafale.
She’s the only woman in India right now flying the Rafale, and that’s no small thing. This is a jet built for serious combat, and she handles it with confidence. She’s now a lieutenant in the IAF, and she’s really become a symbol of what’s possible for women in defence.
“There have been many of us,” she said, “and this shows how much things are changing. Now we can actually chase our dreams.”
Her Life Off the Runway
Turns out, flying runs in the family too—well, kind of. Shivangi is married to another fighter pilot. So yeah, their dinner conversations probably involve a lot more about cockpits and combat drills than your average couple.
Together, they represent this new, more modern face of the Indian Air Force. It’s not just about uniforms and ranks—it’s about shared goals, equality, and pushing each other to do better.
Next Goal? Space
If you thought flying one of the fastest jets in the world was the peak, think again. Shivangi’s looking up again—this time, at space. Yep, she wants to be an astronaut. And with her track record, honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if she actually makes it
Her story is growing beyond just the military. It’s becoming part of a bigger shift in how India sees women in science, tech, and defence. It’s about possibilities. And honestly, that’s what makes her story so inspiring.
Why Her Story Matters
Shivangi Singh isn’t just a pilot. She’s proof that dreams you have as a kid can actually come true—if you keep chasing them. From being that little girl at a museum to flying a Rafale and now dreaming of space, she’s shown what’s possible when courage meets opportunity.
And for every young girl out there who’s ever looked up at the sky and wondered “what if”—well, Shivangi just made that “what if” a lot more real.
Stay tuned. Something tells us she’s not done flying just yet.
