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Abhilasha Barak Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 15, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1994

Age32 Years

BirthplaceWellington, Tamil Nadu, India

ProfessionArmy Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusNot Known

FamilyFather: Col S. Om Singh; elder brother in the Indian Army

Abhilasha Barak Biography

Abhilasha Barak is an Indian Army officer who became the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army. Commissioned in 2018, she moved from the A

Early life and background

Abhilasha Barak was born in 1994 in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, and spent her formative years in a military family. Her father is Col S. Om Singh, a retired Indian Army officer, and she has an elder brother who is also an Army officer. The family’s military environment shaped her interests: seeing her brother’s passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy in 2013 was a turning point that reinforced her decision to pursue a career in the armed forces.

She attended Lawrence School, Sanawar, and later Tagore International School in New Delhi. Barak earned a B Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Delhi Technological University. During and after her studies she completed internships with defence and technology organisations, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, and had a stint as a Business Tech Analyst at Deloitte US following graduation.

Career

Barak joined the Officers’ Training Academy in 2017 and was commissioned into the Indian Army on 7 September 2018 with a Short Service Commission. Initially posted to the Corps of Army Air Defence, she served in that branch from September 2018 until May 2022. She earned an A grade in the Army Air Defence Young Officers’ Course and scored strongly in air traffic management and air laws training.

In 2020 she was promoted to the rank of Captain. After clearing the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test and the Computerised Pilot Selection System, she was shortlisted for Army Aviation training. In May 2022 she was transferred to the 2072 Army Aviation Squadron and reported to the Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nashik for helicopter pilot training. Her successful completion of aviation training led to her distinction as the Indian Army’s first woman combat helicopter pilot.

Barak’s military performance has been marked by top-order results in several courses and by positions of responsibility. Early in her career she was chosen to command the Corps of Army Air Defence contingent for the Presentation of Regimental Colours ceremony, an honour presented by the President of India. She also passed her Part B promotional exam on the first attempt.

Service record

• Commissioned: 07 September 2018 (Short Service Commission)

• Initial unit: Army Air Defence (08 September 2018 – 25 May 2022)

• Current unit: 2072 Army Aviation Squadron (25 May 2022 – present)

• Ranks: Lieutenant (07 September 2018 – 2020); Captain (2020 – present)

Awards and recognition

Throughout her training and early service, Barak earned several distinctions. She received the Silver Cheetah Trophy for excellence after finishing first in overall order of merit in a course. She has also been recognised with the UN Military Gender Advocate Award for her service with UNIFIL in Lebanon in 2026.

Public profile

Barak’s pathway into Army Aviation is notable for its timing and preparation. Although her initial commissioning was into a ground-duty branch, prior success in pilot selection tests enabled her to compete for aviation training when opportunities opened for women. She trained alongside a small group of women officers selected for the Combat Army Aviation Training School and underwent six months of intensive flight training before earning aviation wings.

In interviews she has spoken about personal motivations tied to family history, recounting how Army Aviation played a role in saving a family member during operations decades earlier. Her profile highlights both personal determination and the changing opportunities for women in India’s armed services.

Latest updates

As of 2026, Captain Abhilasha Barak continues to serve in the Army Aviation Corps with the 2072 Army Aviation Squadron. Her recent recognition includes the UN Military Gender Advocate Award for her work with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Hobbies and personal interests

Barak lists horse riding among her interests. During her time at Officers’ Training Academy she also trained in judo as part of her wider military education.

Personal life

Publicly available information lists Barak’s marital status as not known. Her immediate family details in the public record note her father’s name and her elder brother’s service in the Army; other family details are not publicly recorded in the available profile.
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Recent Work

Service with 2072 Army Aviation Squadron

Serving as a combat helicopter pilot in the Army Aviation Corps following transfer to the squadron in May 2022.

2022–present
UNIFIL service

Contributed to United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and received the UN Military Gender Advocate Award.

2026
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Career Highlights

  1. First woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army
  2. Commissioned into the Indian Army on 7 September 2018
  3. Promoted to Captain in 2020
  4. Transferred to Army Aviation and posted to 2072 Army Aviation Squadron in May 2022
  5. Silver Cheetah Trophy for overall merit
  6. UN Military Gender Advocate Award (2026)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Abhilasha Barak born?

1994

What is Abhilasha Barak known for?

Army Personnel

What is Abhilasha Barak’s marital status?

Not Known