The only Air Force Officer to have received the Param Vir Chakra is:

The correct answer is Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.

Key Points

• Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only Air Force Officer to have received the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor.
• He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his valiant actions during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.
• He single-handedly defended the Srinagar airbase against Pakistani fighter jets, showing exceptional courage and determination.
• Despite overwhelming odds, he managed to shoot down two enemy aircraft before sacrificing his life.

Additional Information

• Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra: He is an Indian Air Force officer and test pilot, best known for being selected as the backup astronaut for Rakesh Sharma in the Soviet-Indian space mission, but he did not participate in any combat operations.
• Sqn. Ldr. Abhinandan Varthaman: He is an Indian Air Force officer who became well-known during the 2019 India-Pakistan standoff for his heroic actions in aerial combat. He was awarded the Vir Chakra but has not received the Param Vir Chakra.
• Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma: He is the first Indian to travel to space as part of the Soviet Union's Intercosmos program in 1984. He is renowned for his contributions to space exploration but has not been involved in combat operations.
• Param Vir Chakra: This is India's highest military decoration awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy, instituted on 26th January 1950.