New Delhi, October 11, 2025 (Khyber Mail) – Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the Indian Air Force’s first female Rafale fighter pilot, was awarded the prestigious Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge during the valedictory ceremony of the 159th Qualified Flying Instructor Course held at Air Force Station Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.
The ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, Senior Air Staff Officer of Training Command, and recognized 59 officers from the Indian Air Force, sister services, and allied foreign forces. The QFI badge authorizes Squadron Leader Singh to instruct and mentor future fighter pilots, marking a significant advancement in her professional career.
Singh, who qualified to fly the Rafale in 2021, now joins the elite cadre of instructors entrusted with shaping India’s next generation of combat aviators.
The event took place nearly 150 days after claims emerged during Operation Sindoor, alleging that Squadron Leader Singh Rafale jet had been shot down by the Pakistan Air Force and taken captive. These reports, widely circulated in regional media, were categorically refuted by the Indian Air Force.
The IAF released official photographs and statements confirming her active service and visible presence at the QFI ceremony.
Originally from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Squadron Leader Singh continues to inspire aspiring aviators across the India.
Her journey—from flying MiG-21 Bison aircraft to mastering the Rafale and now instructing combat pilots—represents a transformative chapter in India’s defense narrative and a symbol of gender inclusion in frontline roles.