Meet Vice Admiral Arti Sarin: First Woman Officer to Become Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS)

In the annals of India's military history, few stories resonate as profoundly as that of Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the first woman to ascend to the pinnacle of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) as Director General (DGAFMS). Appointed on October 1, 2024, her journey is not just a chronicle of professional triumphs but a motivational saga of resilience, innovation, and unbreakable spirit.

As the highest-ranking woman officer ever in the Indian Armed Forces, Sarin stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets perseverance. Her life, marked by service across all three branches of the military the Army, Navy, and Air Force offers invaluable lessons for aspiring leaders, particularly women navigating male-dominated domains.

Born into a family steeped in naval tradition, Arti Sarin's early years were shaped by the ethos of duty and discipline. Her father, a Commander who served 41 years in the Indian Navy, and her brother, a Commodore and submariner with 30 years of service, instilled in her a deep respect for the armed forces. Even her sister-in-law, Dr. Devina Bajpayee, was a medical officer in the Navy, creating a household where service to the nation was a way of life.

Sarin herself was born at the Army Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment, sharing her birth year and batch with contemporaries like Lt Gen Sadhana Saxena, another trailblazer in military medicine. This familial backdrop fueled her ambition, leading her to Timpany School in Visakhapatnam and eventually to the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, where she completed her MBBS in 1985.

Sarin's educational pursuits didn't stop at her undergraduate degree. She pursued an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC in 1992, followed by a Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Radiation Oncology from the renowned Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. Her quest for excellence took her across the globe to the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, where she trained in Gamma Knife Surgery a precision technique for treating brain tumors. These qualifications not only equipped her with cutting-edge medical expertise but also prepared her for the multifaceted demands of military healthcare, where adaptability is key.

Commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services on December 26, 1985, as a Surgeon Sub-Lieutenant, Sarin's career trajectory is a masterclass in progression and versatility. She rose through the ranks steadily: from Surgeon Lieutenant Commander in 1991 to Surgeon Commander in 2000, Surgeon Captain in 2008, Surgeon Commodore in 2015, Surgeon Rear Admiral in 2020, and finally Surgeon Vice Admiral in 2022.

What sets her apart is her unique experience serving in all three services, holding equivalent ranks across them a rarity that has given her an unparalleled understanding of inter-service collaboration. Her roles have spanned clinical, academic, and administrative spheres, including Professor and Head of Radiation Oncology at premier institutions like Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Command Hospital (Southern Command), AFMC Pune, and INHS Asvini.

Among her notable commands were the INHS Asvini in Mumbai, one of the Navy's flagship hospitals, and the Armed Forces Medical College itself, where she once studied. As Command Medical Officer for the Southern and Western Naval Commands, she oversaw healthcare during critical periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic, where she spearheaded innovative quarantine facilities and medical responses. In a historic moment in 2020, she and her husband, Surgeon Rear Admiral C. S. Naidu a distinguished hepatobiliary surgeon served simultaneously as Command Medical Officers of different naval commands, blending personal and professional dedication seamlessly. The couple, married with a son, exemplifies how family support can amplify one's contributions to national service.

Sarin's path was not without formidable challenges. Deployed to the volatile Kupwara district along the Line of Control during peak insurgency, she spent three months in a high-risk environment that tested her mettle. Organizing medical camps in remote areas like Mac Hal, Z Gully, and Lolab, she provided care under constant threat, transforming her outlook on purpose and resilience. Just before the Kargil War in 1999, she was rushed to a forward surgical center in Drugmulla to fill a critical gap, treating up to 150 civilian patients daily amid escalating tensions. These experiences in "hostile lands" honed her ability to deliver "healing hands" in the face of adversity, reinforcing the armed forces' motto of selfless service.

Her accolades speak volumes about her impact. In 2024, she received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for distinguished service of exceptional order, following the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2021. Earlier commendations include the Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation in 2001, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation in 2013, and Chief of the Army Staff Commendation in 2017. Beyond awards, Sarin has contributed to medical literature with publications in national and international journals and chapters in books on liver disease and assisted reproduction. As an examiner for the National Board of Examinations and a recognized post-graduate teacher at universities like Mumbai, Pune, and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, she has mentored countless medical professionals.

As DGAFMS, Sarin now oversees medical policy for the entire armed forces, ensuring top-tier healthcare for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and their families. Her appointment as the 46th DGAFMS came after serving as DG Medical Services for the Navy and Air Force, roles that prepared her to integrate tri-service medical efforts. In 2025, she continues to drive forward-looking initiatives, such as the organ donation awareness program at Army Hospital (R&R) in New Delhi. There, alongside Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and others, she pledged commitment to organ donation, honoring families who donated amid grief and embodying the ethos of "Seva Parmo Dharma" (Service is the Supreme Duty). This event, held in August 2025, underscored her role in promoting humanitarian causes within the military.

Sarin's influence extends beyond the barracks. Appointed to the Supreme Court's National Task Force in 2024 to formulate safe working conditions for medical professionals, she advocates for systemic improvements in healthcare safety. Under the Nari Shakti initiative, she actively motivates women to join the armed forces, sharing her story to dismantle stereotypes and encourage pursuit of excellence in defence and medicine.

To encapsulate her remarkable career progression, the following table outlines key milestones:

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin's narrative is a motivational blueprint for anyone facing odds. It illustrates that true leadership emerges from empathy, expertise, and an unyielding commitment to service. In a world where women continue to push boundaries, her story urges us to dream big, work relentlessly, and inspire others. As she leads the AFMS into the future, Sarin not only heals bodies but also mends societal divides, proving that one person's resolve can illuminate paths for many.