Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey: From secret NDA application to fighter pilot to India’s first astronaut on the ISS after 41 years |

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla represents a brand new period of Indian excellence in science, house, and repair. From a modest upbringing in Lucknow to changing into a fighter pilot and ultimately moving into outer house, his life is a sworn statement to silent willpower, unwavering self-discipline, and nationwide delight. Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from a quiet NDA applicant to an astronaut orbiting Earth encapsulates the evolution of India itself from a creating nation to a rising house energy. Despite restricted assets and no navy background in the household, Shukla’s relentless pursuit of function propelled him into the elite ranks of the Indian Air Force. His quiet braveness, tutorial brilliance, and technical mastery laid the basis for his future in house exploration.Today, he holds the distinction of being India’s first astronaut to go to the International Space Station (ISS) via Axiom Mission 4 and one in every of the 4 astronauts chosen for India’s formidable Gaganyaan mission. His story is not only about house exploration—it’s a few boy who dared to dream past what was anticipated of him and turned each problem right into a milestone. With hundreds of flying hours, elite take a look at pilot credentials, and worldwide coaching, Shukla is at the forefront of India’s spacefaring future.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s daring NDA application to ISS mission

Shubhanshu Shukla’s extraordinary journey started with an act of quiet braveness. At 17, he secretly utilized to the National Defence Academy (NDA) utilizing a buddy’s application kind, with out telling his dad and mom. This daring resolution was deeply impressed by the Kargil War and a fascinating Indian Air Force airshow that had planted the seed of ambition in him. Shukla’s calculated gamble paid off—he handed the examination and was accepted into NDA. His household, initially shocked by the revelation, later turned his strongest supporters, significantly his elder sister. This silent act of revolt marked a turning level: not solely did it start his navy profession, however it additionally revealed the quiet grit that will outline him. At NDA, he started to embrace a lifetime of self-discipline, service, and management—qualities that formed him right into a future fighter pilot and spacefarer. This episode stays a testomony to how conviction and imaginative and prescient can quietly alter the course of historical past.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s youth and training

Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla was the youngest of three kids in a middle-class household. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, labored as a authorities officer, whereas his mom, Asha Shukla, was a homemaker. He accomplished his education at City Montessori School (CMS), Aliganj, a faculty identified for encouraging tutorial and international excellence. Though he was a quiet and observant scholar, his curiosity in protection and house took early root. While lots of his friends have been drawn to standard careers, Shukla was captivated by the bravery of armed forces personnel and the thrill of aviation. His curiosity matured right into a concrete plan after watching the Kargil War protection and fighter jet demonstrations. Despite the household’s restricted publicity to the protection world, he managed to pave his personal path, laying the academic basis that will assist each his navy and scientific endeavors.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s navy profession from fighter pilot, take a look at pilot, and fight chief

After graduating from NDA, Shukla educated at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006. Over the years, he flew a few of the IAF’s most superior and difficult plane together with the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk. With over 2,000 hours of flying expertise, he certified as a take a look at pilot, one in every of the most demanding roles in aviation, and served as a fight chief; a designation reserved for pilots with distinctive tactical and operational abilities.To additional strengthen his technical background, Shukla accomplished a Master’s diploma in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, one in every of India’s most prestigious analysis establishments. His time as a take a look at pilot with the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) positioned him at the intersection of aerospace innovation and navy execution, getting ready him for the complexities of spaceflight in methods few others can declare.

Shubhanshu Shukla begins astronaut coaching in Russia and India for ISRO’s Gaganyaan program

In 2019, Shukla was chosen by ISRO’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine as a part of a historic collaboration with the Russian house company Roscosmos for India’s first human spaceflight mission:Gaganyaan. He underwent astronaut coaching at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia, the place he obtained instruction in survival coaching, microgravity, house medication, spacecraft programs, and orbital mechanics. The Gaganyaan mission goals to ship Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit aboard an Indian spacecraft, launched by GSLV Mk III. Shukla’s elite background in take a look at flying and aeronautical engineering, mixed together with his Russian and Indian coaching, made him a great candidate. He is broadly anticipated to be one in every of the first Indians to fly aboard an indigenous crewed spacecraft, cementing his legacy in India’s house historical past.

Shubhanshu Shukla leads scientific analysis on ISS throughout historic Axiom Space mission with ISRO and NASA

In a groundbreaking growth, Shukla was chosen as mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4); a personal collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, and SpaceX. Launched on 25 June 2025 from Kennedy Space Center by way of a SpaceX Falcon 9, Ax-4 made Shukla the first Indian nationwide to go to the International Space Station (ISS) since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (USA) and astronauts from Poland and Hungary, Shukla participated in over 60 scientific experiments starting from house radiation biology to microalgae-based oxygen programs—analysis instantly linked to future house sustainability. Shukla additionally served as a vital liaison between ISRO and worldwide companions, offering common updates to ISRO Chief S. Somanath from orbit. The Ax-4 mission just isn’t solely a private milestone for Shukla but in addition a strategic leap for India’s rising function in international house exploration.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s household and private life

Source: ANI

Despite his high-profile profession, Shubhanshu Shukla has all the time maintained an in depth connection together with his household. His dad and mom, although initially unaware of his ambitions, are actually proud supporters. His elder sister, Suchi, was instrumental throughout his early choices, serving to protect his NDA secret till success may converse for itself. Shukla is married to Dr. Kamna Shukla, a dentist, and the couple has a younger son.Known for his humility and grounded nature, Shukla hardly ever discusses his accolades publicly. He prefers to converse via actions and repair. His household, particularly his spouse, performs an important function in managing the tasks that include such a demanding profession. Their non-public assist has enabled him to focus absolutely on flying, testing, and now, venturing into house.(*41*)Also Read | Earth’s rotation quickens, inflicting shorter days in July due to Moon’s new alignment on these dates