Shubhanshu Shukla Biography, Personal Life, Net worth, Early Life, Career, Age 2025

Shubhanshu Shukla Biography – On 25 June 2025, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside sat Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot from Lucknow. When the spacecraft docked with the International Space Station the next day, he became only the second Indian citizen ever to reach space, 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew on a Soviet mission in 1984.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from a schoolboy in Uttar Pradesh to an astronaut conducting experiments 400 kilometres above Earth shows what hard work, focus, and national support can achieve. This article tells his real story in simple words, step by step.

Profile

• Full Name: Shubhanshu Shukla
• Date Of Birth: Born on 10 October 1985
• Birthplace: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Parents: (Father) Shambhu Dayal Shukla, (Mother) Asha Shukla
• Spouse: Kamna Shukla

Early Life

Shubhanshu Shukla was born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is the youngest of three children. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, worked as a government officer. His mother, Asha Shukla, took care of the home. The family lived a simple, middle-class life.

As a child, Shubhanshu loved watching planes fly over the city. In 1999, when he was 14, the Kargil War took place. Stories of brave Indian Air Force pilots inspired him deeply. From that moment, he decided he wanted to fly fighter jets one day.

Education

Shubhanshu studied at City Montessori School in Lucknow, one of the largest schools in the world. He was a good student and always curious about science.

While in class 11, he secretly prepared for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam. His parents wanted him to become an engineer or civil servant, but he had already chosen the sky. He cleared the tough NDA exam in his first attempt.

He joined the 113th course of NDA in 2003 and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. In 2006, he graduated from the Air Force Academy and became an officer in the Indian Air Force.

Career in the Indian Air Force

Shubhanshu started flying fighter aircraft right after training. Over the years, he flew many types of planes:

• Su-30 MKI (heavy fighter)
• MiG-21
• MiG-29
• Jaguar
• Hawk trainer
• Dornier and An-32 transport aircraft

By 2025, he had logged more than 2000 hours of flying time. That is equal to almost 84 full days in the air.

Later, he became a test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru. Test pilots fly new or modified aircraft to check if they are safe. The job is risky, but Shubhanshu performed it with great skill. In March 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Group Captain.

Selection and Training for Space

In 2019, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) started looking for astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight programme. Hundreds of Air Force pilots applied. After many medical and psychological tests, only four officers were chosen in 2020. Shubhanshu Shukla was one of them. The others were Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap.

The four astronauts trained at:

• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia (2020-2021)
• ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru
• NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA

They learned survival skills, how to wear space suits, how to live in zero gravity, and how to operate spacecraft. Shubhanshu also completed a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

Axiom Mission 4 and Life Aboard the ISS

In 2024, India signed an agreement with the American company Axiom Space. Shubhanshu Shukla was selected to fly on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private mission to the International Space Station using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The crew members were:

• Peggy Whitson (USA) – Commander, former NASA astronaut
• Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)
• Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
• Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot

The rocket launched on 25 June 2025 and reached the ISS on 26 June 2025. Shubhanshu spent 14 days in space.

Daily life in space is different:

• Food comes in pouches; some Indian dishes like dal and rice were sent for him
• He slept in a small sleeping bag tied to the wall
• He exercised two hours every day on a treadmill and cycle to keep muscles and bones strong
• Toilet uses suction because there is no gravity

During the mission, he carried out more than 60 scientific experiments. Seven of them were designed by Indian scientists. These studied how human muscles change in space, how fluids behave without gravity, and how crystals grow better in space.

Triumphant Return

The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on 14 July 2025. After landing, Shubhanshu had to re-learn walking because his body had got used to floating. Doctors helped him regain strength over a few weeks.

When he returned to India, he was welcomed as a national hero. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met him and praised his achievement.

Personal Life

Shubhanshu married Kamna Shukla in 2009. Kamna is a dentist. The couple has one son named Kiash. During the launch in June 2025, Kamna and Kiash watched from Florida. After the splashdown, Shubhanshu said the first thing he wanted was to hug his family.

He often says that behind every astronaut is a family that waits patiently on the ground.

Legacy

Shubhanshu Shukla is only the second Indian in history to travel to space. More importantly, his flight has shown the world that India is ready for regular human spaceflight.

His journey inspires millions of students. In school talks after returning, he tells children: “Dream big, study hard, stay fit, and never stop learning. The sky is not the limit anymore.”

India now plans its own space station by 2035 and a moon landing by 2040. Shubhanshu and his teammates will help train the next set of Indian astronauts.

Conclusion

From a curious boy in Lucknow to an astronaut floating above Earth, Shubhanshu Shukla’s life proves that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things with dedication. His 2025 spaceflight has opened a new chapter for India in space exploration. The next time an Indian flag floats inside the International Space Station, many will remember the quiet, hardworking pilot who helped make it possible.

FAQs

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?

He is an Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut, the second Indian citizen to travel to space (2025).

When did Shubhanshu Shukla go to space?

He launched on 25 June 2025 and returned on 14 July 2025.

What was his mission called?

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private mission to the International Space Station.

How long was he in space?

14 days.

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla’s wife?

His wife is Kamna Shukla, a dentist. They have a son named Kiash.

Which planes has he flown?

Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, and others.

What is his role in Gaganyaan?

He is one of the four designated astronauts and likely the prime pilot for India’s first crewed Gaganyaan flight planned for 2026-2027.

What experiments did he do in space?

More than 60 experiments, including seven Indian studies on muscle health, fluid behaviour, and crystal growth in microgravity.

Where was he born?

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 10 October 1985.

What message does he give to students?

“Stay curious, work hard, and keep dreaming. India’s future in space belongs to you.”