First Woman to Lead Armed Forces Medical Services

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has made history by becoming the first woman officer to head the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) in India. Appointed as the next Director General on October 1, 2024, she now holds the position of the highest-ranking woman officer to have ever served in the Indian Armed Forces.

In July 2024, Vice Admiral Sarin was honored with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by President Droupadi Murmu for her exceptional service. The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for all medical policy matters related to the Armed Forces.

Commissioned in 1985, Vice Admiral Sarin graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. She holds two postgraduate degrees in Radiodiagnosis and Radiation Oncology and is trained in gamma knife surgery.

Throughout her career, she has held numerous key positions. Vice Admiral Sarin has served as the Director General of Medical Services for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. She has commanded two major units – INHS Asvini and AFMC, and has been the Command Medical Officer of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) and the Western Naval Command (WNC).

A strong advocate for promoting young women to join the Armed Forces, she was recently appointed as a member of the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to formulate safe working conditions and protocols for medical professionals.