Arti Sarin ,first women and 46th DG of Armed Forces Medical Services

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin became the first woman to head the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). She assumed her office as the 46th DGAFMS  on 1 October 2024, replacing Lt Gen Daljit Singh.

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin's appointment is seen as a boost to women's empowerment in the Armed forces.

Arti Sarin is also a member of the 14-member National Task Force for the Safety of Medical Professionals, appointed by the Supreme Court. 

Earlier, Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman to be appointed as the  Director General of Medical Services (Army).

About Vice Admiral Arti Sarin 

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985. She served in various capacities as the Professor & Head of Radiation Oncology at Army Hospital (R&R) and Command Hospital (Southern Command)/AFMC Pune, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini, and Command Medical Officer in the Indian Navy’s Southern and Western Naval Commands.

During her illustrious career in the Armed Forces, she has served in all three branches of the Armed Forces- Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Before being appointed as the DGAFMS, Flag Officer Arti Sarin held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.

Also Read: Cabinet Secretary to Head National Task Force on Medical Professionals Safety 

About Director General Armed Forces Medical Services

The Government of India integrated the medical wings of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and set up an Armed Forces Medical Service in 1948 for the Indian Armed Forces.

The unified Armed Forces Medical Service was established by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Dr B C Roy Committee on ‘Armed Forces Medical Services and Research Integration.’

The head of the Armed Forces Medical Services,called the Director-General can be an officer of the Indian Army ( rank of Lt General / Indian Navy (rank of Vice Admiral) Indian Air Force ( Air Marshal).

Director General Armed Forces Medical Services: Surgeon Vice-Admiral Arti Sarin 

Headquarters: New Delhi