Bhawana Kanth is recognized as the first female fighter pilot in India. She made history by qualifying to undertake combat missions, a significant milestone for women in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Born on December 1, 1992, in Darbhanga, Bihar, Kanth was one of the first three women to be inducted into the IAF’s fighter squadron in June 2016, alongside her colleagues Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi. This induction followed the Indian government’s decision to allow women to enter the fighter stream on an experimental basis.
In May 2019, Kanth became the first woman in India to qualify for combat missions. Her journey began with her passion for flying, leading her to take the Air Force Common Admission Test, which resulted in her commissioning into the IAF.
After completing her initial training, she was commissioned as a Flying Officer and underwent further training on various aircraft, including the Hawk advanced jet trainers and the MiG-21 Bison. On March 16, 2018, she achieved a significant milestone by completing a solo flight on the MiG-21.
In recognition of her contributions and achievements, Bhawana Kanth was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2020, highlighting her role as a trailblazer for women in aviation and military service in India.