Nikita Pandey

Some Lesser Known Facts About Nikita Pandey

• Nikita Pandey joined the Indian Air Force in 2011 through the Short Service Commission (SSC).

• She has worked as a fighter controller.

• Nikita Pandey took part in key missions like Operation Sindoor (2025) and Operation Balakot (2019) as a Wing Commander.

• As of May 2025, she has served in the Indian Air Force for over 13 and a half years.

• Nikita Pandey went through several rounds of evaluation for a permanent commission.

• After that, she waited for a final chance to be assessed by a third selection board.

• Nikita Pandey was given an extension to stay in service until 19 June 2025 after completing her initial 10-year term.

• She then requested to continue in the Air Force until a special selection board decided on her permanent commission.

• Her lawyers, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy and advocate Astha Sharma, said in the Supreme Court that she was selected for Operation Sindoor because of her strong strategic skills and experience. In her application, she mentioned,
  

  Despite women officers been inducted in the Indian Air Force since 1992 which is more than 30 years now, still the only available option provided to them at the inception for induction is via the SSC whereas their male counterparts have an option to be commissioned as both SSC and Permanent Commission.”

• In May 2025, the Supreme Court put a hold on the government’s decision to retire Nikita Pandey.

• The court said that the lack of clarity about long-term career options for officers was a major concern and should be handled through a clear and updated policy.

• After that, Nikita Pandey became the first Short Service Commission (SSC) officer in the Indian Air Force to get a stay order on her retirement.

• On 9 May 2025, the Supreme Court gave similar relief to more than 50 women SSC officers in the Indian Army.