Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and an astronaut with ISRO, best known for being the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, he made history as part of Axiom Mission 4, carrying out crucial space research and representing India on the global stage.
Wiki/Bio Details
| Full Name | Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Profession | IAF Group Captain, ISRO Astronaut |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1985 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 39 years |
| Hometown | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Marital Status | Married to Kamna Shubha Shukla |
| Children | 1 son – Kiyas (born 2020) |
| Known For | First Indian astronaut to visit the ISS |
Early Life and Family Background
Shubhanshu Shukla was born in Lucknow to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government officer, and Asha Shukla, a homemaker. He is the youngest among three siblings, with sisters Nidhi Shukla (MBA) and Shuchi Mishra (a teacher).
Raised in Triveni Nagar, his childhood was filled with books and curiosity. The Kargil War deeply inspired him and sparked his dream of joining the armed forces.
Personal Life
Shubhanshu is married to Kamna Shubha Shukla, a dentist from Lucknow, since 2009. Their son Kiyas was born in 2020.
Education Journey
Shubhanshu studied at City Montessori School, Aliganj, and passed Class 12 in 2001. He entered the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2002 after clearing the exam—surprisingly filled out by a friend without informing his family.
This unexpected leap became the foundation for his aerospace journey.
Career in Indian Air Force
Shubhanshu was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006, as a fighter pilot (Service No. 29014). Over time, he flew Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, MiG-21, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32 aircraft. (Source)
He served with distinction during critical missions like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and was promoted to Wing Commander in 2019, and later to Group Captain.
Career Highlights
| Milestone | Details |
| IAF Commissioning | June 17, 2006 |
| Promotion to Wing Commander | June 17, 2019 |
| Astronaut Training | Russia (2020–2021) at Gagarin Center |
| Gaganyaan Selection | 2019 |
| ISS Launch | June 25, 2025 (Axiom Mission 4) |
| Public Engagement | Ham radio with ISRO, July 4, 2025 |
ISRO Astronaut and Gaganyaan Mission
In 2019, he was shortlisted by ISRO for the Gaganyaan program. He trained in Star City, Russia, at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center from Feb 2020 to Mar 2021.
He was one of the four astronauts formally announced by PM Narendra Modi on Feb 27, 2024, alongside Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Prashanth Nair.
Historic ISS Visit – Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
On June 25, 2025, Shubhanshu became the first Indian to reach the ISS aboard Axiom Mission 4, conducted with support from NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO.
During this 14-day mission, he served as Mission Pilot, participating in crucial life sciences experiments, including research on skeletal muscle degradation.
He greeted Indians in Hindi upon arrival at the ISS, becoming a symbol of cultural pride in space.
| ISS Seat Cost | Approx ₹500 crore (sponsored by Govt of India) |
Health and Life on the ISS
Reports on June 28, 2025, mentioned that he experienced dizziness, a common space adaptation syndrome. However, ISRO confirmed he remained in good health and high spirits.
He also interacted with students and ISRO scientists on July 4, 2025, via ham radio, sharing his experiences and inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.
Best Works of Shubhanshu Shukla
| Work | Impact |
| ISS Research | Myogenesis experiment on muscle degradation in microgravity |
| STEM Advocacy | Ham radio interaction with students |
| Operational Experience | Over 2,000 flying hours and participation in key IAF ops |
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Legacy and Personality
Known for keeping plans quiet until execution, Shubhanshu’s discipline and secrecy were noted by his father. His mission has made him a national icon, showing India’s rising strength in space.
With a mix of technical brilliance, humility, and courage, he continues to inspire youth toward careers in aerospace and STEM. His voice from the ISS in Hindi made headlines, echoing pride across the nation.
