Mangaluru, Oct 30: Adding to Dakshina Kannada’s pride, Flight Lieutenant Prajwal R. Shetty has qualified as a fully operational Rafale fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a major milestone in his military aviation career. His remarkable journey, from securing the 42nd rank in the all-India UPSC examination after PUC to flying one of India’s most advanced combat aircraft, reflects years of dedication, hard work and excellence.

Prajwal earned admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, after securing the 42nd rank in the UPSC examination. He completed three years of training at the academy, which included initial flying experience on the Super Dimona aircraft.

He subsequently joined the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad for a year of advanced training, flying Pilatus and Kiran aircraft. He secured first rank in aviation subjects and also earned a BTech degree during this phase.

Commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream in December 2022, Prajwal underwent a year of basic fighter training on Hawk aircraft at Kalaikunda, West Bengal. He continued his academic record by securing first place in aviation subjects during this training as well.

After completing the successive stages of specialised training, he qualified to fly the Rafale multirole fighter aircraft and was posted to the IAF’s 17 Squadron, famously known as the ‘Golden Arrows’, based at Ambala, Haryana. Following his Rafale conversion training, he is now serving as a fully operational Rafale pilot.

Another notable moment in his career came on October 25, 2026, when he participated in ‘Wings Over Ganges’, an aerial display held in Varanasi as part of the IAF’s 94th anniversary celebrations. He flew in the three-aircraft Rafale formation ‘Neelkanth’, occupying the central lead position.

Prajwal is the son of Ramesh Shetty of Harekala Ulidottu and Seetha R. Shetty of Kodethur Moodudevasya in Dakshina Kannada.

His journey from an outstanding performance in the UPSC examination to becoming an operational Rafale pilot stands as an inspiring example for young aspirants from the region who dream of serving the nation through the armed forces.