Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s pioneering woman Rafale pilot, has made history by becoming the Indian Air Force’s first woman Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI). She earned this prestigious badge after completing the rigorous 159th Qualified Flying Instructor Course at the Flying Instructors School, Air Force Station Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, with the valedictory ceremony held on October 9, 2025. This milestone came just a day after the IAF celebrated its 93rd anniversary. Singh’s achievement comes amid persistent Pakistani propaganda falsely claiming she was captured after her aircraft was shot down near Sialkot during Operation Sindoor in early May 2025. The Indian Air Force decisively debunked these disinformation campaigns by publicly releasing her official photograph and confirming her active service. Awarded alongside 59 officers from the IAF, sister services, and friendly foreign nations, the QFI badge authorizes Singh to train and mentor rookie fighter pilots, bolstering India’s aerial combat capabilities. Her success stands as a proud testament to Indian resilience and excellence, inspiring women and underscoring India’s strategic edge in the region.