Shubhanshu Shukla
Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO astronaut; first Indian aboard the International Space Station
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- 41 yrs
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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO gaganyatri. In 2025 he flew on Axiom Mission 4, becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma.
Biography
Early life
Shukla grew up in Lucknow and studied at City Montessori School. Inspired, he has said, by stories of the armed forces, he cleared the National Defence Academy entrance exam and joined the Indian Air Force. He has flown more than 2,000 hours on aircraft including the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.
Pilot
Shukla trained at the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in June 2006, flying aircraft such as the Su-30MKI and later qualifying as a test pilot.
Astronaut
In 2019 he was one of four Air Force officers chosen to train for ISRO’s Gaganyaan human-spaceflight programme, training in Russia and India. In mid-2025 he flew as pilot of Axiom Mission 4, a privately organised mission to the International Space Station, spending about two weeks aboard and becoming the first Indian on the ISS — 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s flight. He has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
Axiom Mission 4
As pilot of Axiom Mission 4, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Florida in June 2025 with crewmates from the United States, Poland and Hungary, Shukla spent about two weeks aboard the International Space Station. He carried out experiments for ISRO, including studies of crop seeds, microalgae and muscle loss in microgravity, and spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian schoolchildren from orbit.
Gaganyaan
His experience is intended to support ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme, which aims to launch Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket. In recognition of his mission he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
Significance
Shukla’s 2025 mission made him the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, 41 years later. As one of the astronauts selected for Gaganyaan, India’s own human spaceflight programme, his experience aboard the ISS is seen as important preparation for the country’s first crewed mission.
Timeline
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1985
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
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2006
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force
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2019
Selected for Gaganyaan training
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2024
Publicly named as a Gaganyaan astronaut-designate
February.
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2025
Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS
First Indian aboard the station.
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2025
Returns from the ISS
July.
Awards and honours
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Ashoka Chakra
India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
Did you know?
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1
He was the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.
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2
He spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from orbit.
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3
He has flown more than 2,000 hours on combat and transport aircraft.
Gallery
Connections
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Frequently asked
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO gaganyatri. In 2025 he flew on Axiom Mission 4, becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma.
How old is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Shubhanshu Shukla is 41 years old, born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Where is Shubhanshu Shukla from?
Shubhanshu Shukla was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
What is Shubhanshu Shukla known for?
Shubhanshu Shukla is best known for Axiom Mission 4 (2025); Gaganyaan astronaut-designate.
What awards has Shubhanshu Shukla received?
Notable honours include Ashoka Chakra.
References
- Shubhanshu Shukla — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Shubhanshu Shukla — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Shubhanshu Shukla — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Shubhanshu Shukla (Q124670652) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Shubhanshu Shukla.” TrackFame, last updated 27 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/shubhanshu-shukla
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