Shubhanshu Shukla Biography

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a highly skilled Indian Air Force officer and astronaut. He was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. With over 2,000 hours of flight experience, he is one of the most experienced test pilots in the country.

Shubhanshu Shukla Biography: Age, Education, Missions, and Career Details

In 2019, he was selected for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, and received astronaut training in Russia. In 2024, he was chosen to fly as a pilot on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS.

Early Life

Shubhanshu Shukla was born and raised in Lucknow. From a young age, he showed interest in science, technology, and aviation.

Education

• He studied at City Montessori School, Lucknow.
• He later joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune and earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree.
• He completed his Master of Technology (M.Tech) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

Age

• Born: October 10, 1985
• Age (as of 2025): 39 years

Physical Stats

• Height: Not officially published
• Build: Fit and athletic due to military and space training

Wife

Shukla is married to Kamna Mishra, a dentist by profession, who was Shubhanshu’s classmate at school.

Family

Shubhanshu Shukla is the youngest of three children born to Shambu Dayal Shukla, a retired government officer, and Asha Shukla, a homemaker. He shares a close bond with his six-year-old son, Sid, and often misses being part of his early childhood moments due to his demanding career. However, this sacrifice does not weaken his commitment to serving the nation. His wife, Kamna, has been his pillar of strength, supporting him through every challenge. Her constant encouragement is one of the key reasons behind his successful journey.

Shubhanshu Shukla Age

Shubhanshu Shukla Family

Shubhanshu Shukla With Wife and Son

Career

He joined the IAF in 2006 and flew many aircraft such as Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, and An-32. He became a test pilot and gained over 2,000 flying hours. He was promoted to Group Captain in March 2024. In 2019, he was selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission and trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russia. In 2024, he was selected as the pilot of the Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Though the mission was delayed, it successfully launched on June 25, 2025.

Net Worth

Exact net worth is not publicly available. However, as a senior IAF officer and astronaut, he earns a high government salary and benefits. The net worth of Shukla stands between $5 and $8 million.

What is the Gaganyaan Mission? Everything You Need to Know

Gaganyaan Mission: Launch Date, Time, Astronauts List

The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human spaceflight mission, managed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). The goal is to send three Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit (LEO) for three days.

Launch Timeline:

• Gaganyaan-1 (Uncrewed): March 2025 (planned)
• Gaganyaan-2 (Uncrewed): Mid-2025
• Gaganyaan-3 (Uncrewed): Late 2025
• Gaganyaan-4 (Crewed): Late 2026 or Early 2027

Astronauts Selected:

• Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair
• Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
• Group Captain Angad Pratap
• Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla

What Are the Main Objectives of the Gaganyaan Mission?

The Gaganyaan mission has several important goals:

Demonstrate Human Spaceflight Capability

• Show India can send humans to space and bring them back safely.

Develop Space Technology

• Build a human-rated launch vehicle, crew module, life support, and crew escape systems.

Crew Training and Procedures

• Create systems for training astronauts, handling emergencies, and post-mission recovery.

Encourage Scientific Research

• Perform microgravity experiments in space that can help in medicine, biology, and material science.

Lay Foundation for Future Missions

• Start India’s journey toward long-term human space programs, like missions to the Moon or even Mars.

How Will the Gaganyaan Mission Benefit India’s Space Program?

The Gaganyaan mission is expected to bring many advantages to India’s space sector:

1. Technological Growth

• India will join the group of nations with human spaceflight capability (USA, Russia, China).
• It will lead to new technologies like space suits, life support systems, and escape systems.

2. Industrial and Economic Boost

• Around 60% of the components for the mission will come from Indian private companies.
• It will create about 15,000 jobs, boosting the economy and promoting local industries.

3. Scientific Advancement

• Experiments in microgravity can lead to discoveries in astrophysics, medicine, and chemistry.

4. Education and Inspiration

• The mission will inspire students and young scientists to take an interest in space, science, and engineering.

5. Global Prestige

• It will raise India’s reputation globally and strengthen international partnerships in the space industry.

Conclusion

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a symbol of India’s growing space ambitions. With his historic journey to the ISS through Axiom Mission 4 and his role in the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, he represents a new era for Indian space exploration. As India prepares to launch its first crewed spaceflight, the contributions of Shukla and his fellow astronauts will inspire a whole generation and place India firmly on the world’s space map.