Major Navya Shekhawat Creates History as First Female Indian Army Officer to Become President’s ADC
Major Navya Shekhawat is among the select few female military officers who have achieved a historic milestone through their dedication, discipline, and leadership capabilities. She is the first female officer from the Indian Army who has appointed as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India on second week of July 2026. The role of the President’s ADC is not merely ceremonial; it is a prestigious responsibility entrusted to the most trusted and outstanding officers of the Indian Armed Forces. Her achievement is seen as a symbol of the growing participation and leadership potential of women within the Indian Army. Major Navya Shekhawat’s journey of education and military training has been truly inspiring. She cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination. Subsequently, she was selected under the Short Service Commission and underwent military training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Training at the OTA is not just a test of physical endurance; it also fosters leadership, strategic thinking, discipline, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. It was this training that molded Major Navya into a capable military officer. Upon completing her training, Major Navya Shekhawat began her service with the Army Service Corps (ASC). This corps is considered the backbone of the Army’s logistics, handling transportation, fuel, food supplies, and essential military provisions. While discharging these responsibilities, she demonstrated exceptional administrative efficiency, leadership, and organizational skills. Major Navya earned the confidence of senior officers through her competence across all areas and consistently distinguished herself through her performance. A major milestone in her career was reached when she was appointed as the ADC to the President of India. She is the first female officer from the Indian Army to hold this position. The responsibilities of the President’s ADC include the military coordination of the President’s official engagements, representation at ceremonial functions, assistance with various aspects of security arrangements, and duties related to military counsel. Her appointment has become a source of new inspiration for women in the Indian Army. Her success conveys the message that opportunities in the Indian Army today are granted based on talent and capability, irrespective of whether the officer is male or female.
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.
S. Raja Subramani Appointed India’s Third CDS, Returns to Active Service After Distinguished Military Career
Following General Anil Chauhan, the Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani as the third Chief of Defence Staff. General N. S. Raja Subramaniam has been serving in the Indian Armed Forces since 1985. He was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 14, 1985. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has served in various command, staff, and instructional appointments. General Officer N. S. Raja Subramani is an alumnus of the 67th Course of the National Defence Academy and the 77th Course of the Indian Military Academy. He attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the UK and the National Defence College in New Delhi. Subsequently, he pursued studies at King’s College London, earning a Master of Arts degree from the University of London and an M.Phil. in Defence Studies from the University of Madras. After completing his studies at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom, he returned to India and assumed command of the 16th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles in Assam. This battalion was deployed in a counter-insurgency role under ‘Operation Rhino.’ Subsequently, he was appointed as the Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. It is noteworthy that, while holding the rank of Colonel, he also served as the Assistant Military Secretary in the ‘S’ Branch at Army Headquarters. He further served as the Colonel General Staff (Operations) at the Eastern Command Headquarters and, in Jammu and Kashmir, served as the Deputy Commander of a Sector of the Rashtriya Rifles. Military Career Subsequently, upon being promoted to the rank of Brigadier, he assumed command of the 168th Infantry Brigade in Samba. He was then selected to attend the National Defence College in New Delhi, as part of the 55th course. Following the course, he was appointed as the Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence (DDGMI) at Army Headquarters. Subsequently, he also served as the Brigadier General Staff in the Eastern Command. After being promoted to the rank of Major General, he was appointed as the General Officer Commanding of the 17th Mountain Division in Sikkim. On February 3, 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed as the General Officer Commanding, North India Area. On February 12, 2021, Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani assumed the charge of General Officer Commanding, succeeding Lieutenant General Surinder Singh Mahal. In 2022, he also served as the Chief of Staff at the Northern Command, based in Udhampur. On March 1, 2023, Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani assumed the charge of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command. On July 1, 2024, Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani assumed the office of Vice Chief of Army Staff, marking his 47th year of service. After retiring from active military service, he was appointed as a Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat. Most recently, on May 9, 2026, the Government of India appointed Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani as the third Chief of Defence Staff, thereby marking his return to active military service. During his career, the general officer has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020, the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal