Meet Sania Mirza, India's First Muslim Woman Fighter Pilot

Sania Mirza, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur, is all set to become India's first Muslim woman fighter pilot. The daughter of a television mechanic Shahid Ali, Sania secured an overall 149th rank in National Defence Academy (NDA) exam.  Mirza has been selected to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and would be the country's first Muslim girl and the state's first IAF pilot.

Sania is a native of a small village named Jasovar that falls under the Dehat Kotwali police station area. The budding girl fighter pilot completed her high school from Pandit Chintamani Dubey Inter College in her village.

"There were only two seats reserved for the women in the fighter pilot wing. I failed to grab a seat on the first attempt. However, I managed to bag a seat in the second attempt," Sania was quoted by ETV Bharat online.

Meet Sania Mirza: India's First Muslim Woman Fighter Pilot

Sania Mirza, who studied in a Hindi medium school, said that it's a myth that candidates with good communication skills in English are selected for this coveted league. And Hindi medium students too can achieve success if they are determined. She will join NDA Khadakwasla in Pune on December 27.

She was the district topper in the 12th UP Board and soon began her preparations at Centurion Defense Academy. Sania gives the credit for success to her parents as well as to the Centurion Defense Academy.

Sania's mother Tabassum Mirza said, "Our daughter has made us and the entire village proud. She fulfils the dream of becoming the first fighter pilot. She inspired every girl in the village to follow their dreams."

In the National Defense Academy 2022 examination, there were a total of 400 seats including male and female. Out of which there were 19 seats for women and two seats were reserved for fighter pilots.

Earlier this year, the government of India made an announcement that India is the topmost country in contributing to female commercial pilots in the world. As of 2022, India is home to the maximum number of female commercial pilots globally with 12.4 per cent followed by Australia which ranks second with 7.5 per cent.

Suggested Reading: India Is Home To The Most Female Commercial Pilots In The World