In a historic milestone, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin assumed charge as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on October 1, 2024, becoming the first woman officer to hold this prestigious position. As the 46th DGAFMS, she is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overseeing all medical policy matters related to the Indian Armed Forces.
With a remarkable career spanning 38 years, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has held numerous coveted appointments. Prior to assuming the role of DGAFMS, she served as the DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air), and as Director & Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.
An alumna of AFMC Pune, she was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985 and holds an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC, complemented by a Diplomate National Board in Radiation Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She has also received specialized training in Gamma Knife Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin’s distinguished career has seen her serve in key academic and administrative roles, including Professor & Head, Radiation Oncology at Army Hospital (R&R) and Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune. She has commanded INHS Asvini, the premier naval hospital in Mumbai, and served as Command Medical Officer in the Indian Navy’s Southern and Western Naval Commands.
A trailblazer in the medical field, she has the unique distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, from Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy, and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.
Her exceptional service has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2024) and Vishisht Seva Medal (2021) for her dedication to patient care, along with multiple commendations from the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has been a vocal advocate for women in the Armed Forces, serving as a role model for the Nari Shakti initiative. Recently, she was appointed by the Supreme Court’s National Task Force to develop safe working conditions and protocols for medical professionals.
Her leadership and legacy will continue to inspire both men and women in the Indian Armed Forces and the broader medical community.
