Akshita Dhankar unfurled national flag with President Droupadi Murmu at 77th Republic Day parade.

Key facts

• Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar of the Indian Air Force (IAF) shared the flag-unfurling honour with President Droupadi Murmu on 26 January 2026.
• She was commissioned as Flying Officer in the Administration branch on 17 June 2023 under the 211 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course with service number 38704 ADM.
• Dhankar was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and oversees administrative operations including personnel management and logistics.
• She hails from Kansi village in Haryana and joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) while studying at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University, rising to Cadet Sergeant Major.
• She cleared the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and received recommendation from the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) in Mysore.