Meet Bhawana Kanth: The First Woman to Complete the Indian Air Force’s Elite Fighter Combat Leader Course

A decade after becoming one of India’s first women fighter pilots, Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth has created history once again by becoming the first woman to complete the Indian Air Force’s prestigious Fighter Combat Leader course.

For students, Bhawana Kanth’s journey is a powerful example of how education, determination and the courage to pursue an unconventional dream can lead to extraordinary achievements.

On August 6, 2026, Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman to complete the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course, one of the Indian Air Force’s most advanced tactical training programmes. The achievement came exactly a decade after she was commissioned as one of India’s first three women fighter pilots.

From engineering student to fighter pilot

Born and raised in Begusarai, Bihar, Bhawana Kanth did not begin her journey in aviation. She studied medical electronics engineering at BMS College of Engineering in Bengaluru before deciding to pursue a career in the Indian Air Force.

Her educational background and determination eventually led her to the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, where she trained alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh. In June 2016, the three officers made history by becoming the first women to be commissioned into the Indian Air Force's fighter stream.

At the time, allowing women to fly fighter aircraft was a relatively new step for the IAF. Kanth and her fellow officers were among the first to break into a field that had previously been closed to women.

A journey marked by historic milestones

Kanth began her career flying the MiG-21 Bison and went on to achieve several important milestones.

In May 2019, she became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to qualify for daytime combat missions. She later took part in the Republic Day parade and transitioned to flying the Su-30 MKI, one of the Indian Air Force’s frontline fighter aircraft.

In 2020, she was honoured with the Nari Shakti Puraskar for her achievements and contribution to aviation.

Completing one of the IAF’s toughest courses

Kanth’s latest achievement came after completing the 20-week Fighter Combat Leader course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

The programme is designed to train highly skilled fighter pilots in advanced areas such as aerial combat, mission planning, tactical decision-making and weapons employment.

Only a small percentage of fighter pilots are selected for the programme, making successful completion a major professional achievement.

After completing the course, Fighter Combat Leaders return to their units with the responsibility of contributing to mission planning, tactical training and the development of other pilots.

An inspiration for students and young women

Bhawana Kanth’s journey shows that a student's academic path does not always have to follow a traditional route. An engineering graduate from Bihar went on to become a fighter pilot and later achieved one of the highest tactical qualifications in the Indian Air Force.

Her story also reflects the growing opportunities for women in fields that were once considered inaccessible.

From a classroom in Bengaluru to the cockpit of a fighter aircraft, Kanth’s journey demonstrates the importance of education, preparation and perseverance.

Ten years after helping open the doors for women in India’s fighter stream, Bhawana Kanth has once again set a new milestone—creating a powerful example for students who dream of reaching places where few have gone before.

Her message through her journey is clear: with the right education, determination and courage, even the most challenging goals can become possible.