Breaking Barriers in Uniform: Captain Shivani Becomes First Female Aide-de-Camp to COAS General Dhiraj Seth
Captain Shivani Sehrawat, a young regular officer in the Indian Army, recently created history by becoming India’s first female ADC (Aide-de-Camp). This historic appointment is considered a major step towards providing greater leadership opportunities to women in the Indian Army based on their merit, professional competence, and credibility. A service chief typically appoints three ADCs, and Captain Shivani is one of these selected officers. She is also the first female ADC to General Dheeraj Seth, who will assume office as India’s 31st Chief of Staff on June 30, 2026. In 2013, Lieutenant Garib Lal Ji became the first female ADC to an Army Command Commander, and Captain Shivani is the first female officer to directly become ADC to a Chief of Staff. Before joining the Army, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering and completed rigorous military training at the prestigious Officer Training Academy in Chennai, after which she was commissioned into the Indian Army. Responsibilities of the ADC Position- The ADC serves as the personal staff officer to the Army Commander. Captain Shivani Sehrawat recounts her journey as a young Army officer in the Indian Army before being appointed ADC of the Army.