Gp Capt Shakti Nath Kar was commissioned on 03 January 1966 in the Engineering Branch of IAF. In his more than 28 years of service he has held important staff and field appointments which include Senior Technical Officer of a MiG-21 Squadron and Senior Engineer (Mechanical) of a MiG Operating Wing. As Deputy Chief Resident Engineer at Resident Technical Office (Air Armament) he has made valuable contributions to defence indigenisation effort by clearing a number of operational and training stores for inducting into Air Force. He is an alumni of Institute of Armament Technology and Defence Services Staff College.

In 1991, Gp Capt SN Kar was called upon to head a task force to upgrade the operational status of a life expired missile system for which a foreign manufacturer demanded nearly Rs 1.6 Crore. He took up this challenge and by sheer professional competence and innovative approach completed the task in record time using indigenous resources. By this valuable contribution, he not only enhanced the operational potential of the Air Force but also saved Rs 1.6 crore at a time when the country was passing through an acute resource crunch.

In 1994, while on a pre-delivery inspection assignment abroad, his tact and skillful handling of negotiations, resulted in a saving of Rs 1.44 crore in precious foreign exchange.

For distinguished service of high order the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt Shakti Nath Kar.