Born on January 13, 1949, Sharma originally belongs to Punjab and completed his education from Hyderabad. After successfully passing from the National Defence Academy, Sharma was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a test pilot. On September 20, 1982, he was elected to travel into space as a cosmonaut as part of a joint programme by ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos space programme. On April 2 in 1984, he made his flight aboard the Soyuz T-11 and became the first Indian to achieve this feat. The duration of his stay in outer space lasted 21 hours and 40 minutes. When inquired by Indira Gandhi on how India looks from outer space, Sharma recited Saare Jahan Se Achcha in response. Sharma was awarded the Hero of Soviet Union after his return. He was also felicitated with Ashoka Chakra by the Indian Government.