Lt Gen Sadhana Saxena Nair. (Photo: Indian Army)
New Delhi: Lieutenant General Sadhana Saxena Nair, VSM, became the first woman to assume the pivotal role of director general of the Indian Army’s medical services and will command the Army Medical Corps. She assumed her post in the new role on Thursday.
This landmark appointment underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to fostering diversity and equality within its ranks.
Lt Gen Nair’s journey began at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, where she distinguished herself as a dedicated and skilled medical professional. Commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985. Then she joined the Indian Air Force in 1986 as a flight lieutenant, where she started serving the force as a medical officer.
Prior to that, she started her schooling at St Mary’s Convent, Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and completed it from Loreto Convent, Lucknow. In between, she went to schools at Tezpur, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Chandigarh.
Throughout her illustrious career, Lt Gen Nair has demonstrated exemplary dedication and expertise in military medicine, earning her the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for her service. For her meritorious service she has been awarded the AOC-in-C (Western Air Command) and Chief of Air Staff Commendations.
Notably, she holds a postgraduate degree in family medicine and has undergone a two-year training program in medical informatics at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Additionally, Lt Gen Nair received training in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces and MME (military medical ethics) in Switzerland.
Before switching back to the Army, Lt Gen Nair became the second woman officer to rise to the rank of air marshal in the Air Force after Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay (retired). Prior to this appointment, AM Nair served as the principal medical officer (PMO) at HQ Training Command (Air Force), Bengaluru. Air Marshal Sadhana Saxena Nair held the prestigious post of director general of the Hospital Services (Armed Forces).
The general officer is married to Air Marshal KP Nair (retired). Three generations of Lt Gen Nair’s family have served in the armed forces over the last 70 years. She has the unique distinction of being a daughter and sister of military doctors apart from being the wife and mother of IAF fighter pilots.
Now as the DGMS (Army), Lt Gen Nair will head the Indian Army Medical Corps and will be responsible for the healthcare of over 1.2 million soldiers. The appointment of a woman general officer to this critical role is widely viewed as a groundbreaking move which is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the healthcare of the armed forces.
