New Delhi: Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair assumed the office of Director General Medical Services (Army) on August 1, 2024, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold this prestigious position. Prior to this, she was the first woman to serve as DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) upon her promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.
Lt Gen Nair graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, with a distinguished academic record and was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985. She holds a postgraduate degree in Family Medicine, Diplomas in Maternal & Child Health and Health Care Management, and completed a two-year training program in Medical Informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi. Additionally, she received specialized training in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces and in Military Medical Ethics with the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez. She also holds the distinction of being the first woman Principal Medical Officer of both the Western Air Command and Training Command in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Lt Gen Nair has contributed significantly to medical education policy as an expert member of the Dr. Kasturirangan Committee, which drafted part of the medical education component of the National Education Policy. Her meritorious service has earned her multiple accolades, including the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, and Chief of the Air Staff Commendations, as well as the Vishisht Seva Medal from the President of India.