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Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

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

Quick Info

Date of birth21 June 1983

Age42 Years

BirthplaceTambaram, Chennai

ProfessionIndian Air Force Personnel (Fighter Pilot)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseTanvi Marwaha

FamilyFather: Simhakutty Varthaman (retired Air Marshal), Mother: Shobha (Doctor)

Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF) Biography

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman is an Indian Air Force fighter pilot known for his service and for being taken prisoner in Pakistan in February 2019. A

Early life and background

Abhinandan Varthaman was born on 21 June 1983 in Tambaram, Chennai. He grew up in a family with strong Air Force connections: his father, Simhakutty Varthaman, served in the Indian Air Force and retired with the rank of Air Marshal, while his mother Shobha is a doctor. The family traces ancestral roots to Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, and Abhinandan attended school in Bengaluru.

Career

Abhinandan joined the Indian Air Force and was commissioned on 19 June 2004. He rose through the ranks to become a Group Captain and served as a fighter pilot. In recognition of his actions, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest gallantry award, in 2019.

Public profile

Abhinandan became widely known internationally after an incident on 27 February 2019 when his fighter aircraft went down across the Line of Control and he was captured in Pakistan. Videos released during and after his capture drew significant media attention. Pakistan returned him to India on 1 March 2019, after statements from Pakistani leadership and arrangements that led to his safe passage back via the Wagah border.

His family background and the circumstances of his capture attracted sustained public and media interest. His father’s senior career in the Indian Air Force and links to film advisement were also noted in reporting about the episode.

Personal life

Abhinandan is married to Tanvi Marwaha, a former Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force and a retired helicopter pilot. The couple have a son named Tavish. Details reported about Abhinandan’s physical profile list his height as approximately 170 cm (5'7") and weight around 75 kg. His eye and hair colour are listed as black. He follows Hinduism and is non-vegetarian.

Latest updates

In November 2019, a Pakistan Air Force war museum displayed a mannequin representing Abhinandan. In June 2025, reporting noted that Major Moiz Abbas Shah, a Pakistan Army officer involved in Abhinandan’s 2019 capture, was killed in a gunfight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Legacy and recognition

Abhinandan’s capture and subsequent return were defining moments in his public life, leading to national attention and the award of the Vir Chakra in 2019. He continues to be identified by his service number and rank within the Indian Air Force, and his experience remains part of contemporary discussions about the India–Pakistan border incidents.
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Recent Work

Awarded the Vir Chakra

Received the Vir Chakra in 2019 for gallantry.

2019
Return to India after capture

Released by Pakistan and returned to India via the Wagah border on 1 March 2019.

2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 19 June 2004
  2. Rank: Group Captain
  3. Awarded the Vir Chakra in 2019
  4. Captured in Pakistan after a 2019 aircraft incident and returned to India on 1 March 2019
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF) born?

21 June 1983

What is Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF) known for?

Indian Air Force Personnel (Fighter Pilot)

What is Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Abhinandan Varthaman (IAF) married to?

Tanvi Marwaha