Major Navya Shekhawat Made History as the First Woman Army Officer on the President’s Team

At official functions, Major Navya Shekhawat stands beside President Droupadi Murmu, carrying out the exacting duties of presidential protocol. Her presence marks a historic first.

Major Shekhawat is the first woman officer from the Indian Army to be appointed Aide-de-Camp, or ADC, to the President of India, a role that places her within Rashtrapati Bhavan’s protocol and public life.

Inside the President’s circle of five ADCs

The President of India is traditionally assisted by five ADCs, three from the Army and one each from the Navy and the Air Force.

For decades, these coveted appointments went almost entirely to men. In May 2025, Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy became the first woman to serve as ADC to the President, taking charge after a rigorous selection process at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Major Shekhawat's appointment as the first woman from the Army to hold this position builds directly on that milestone, marking the second time a woman officer has entered this exclusive circle.

An officer of the Army Service Corps, Major Shekhawat now assists the President during state functions, investiture ceremonies, diplomatic engagements, and other official duties that demand exceptional discipline and bearing.

Photographs and videos of her standing in attendance at these events have travelled widely online, turning her into a recognisable face for young Indians who dream of a career in uniform.

From the merit list to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Major Shekhawat's path into the armed forces began the way it does for thousands of aspirants every year, through the Combined Defence Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

Clearing this exam secured her a place in the merit list for the Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, one of the country's premier institutions for shaping civilians into commissioned officers.

Training at OTA is demanding, with a focus on physical endurance, leadership drills and sustained mental resilience.

Major Shekhawat completed this training successfully and was commissioned into the Army Service Corps, the branch responsible for logistics, supply chains, transport, and the systems that keep troops operationally ready.

Her rise from a CDS-qualified aspirant to one of the most prestigious appointments in the country, within a few years of service, reflects the confidence the institution placed in her abilities.

A milestone shaped by decades of change

Major Shekhawat's appointment cannot be separated from the broader story of women in the Indian Army, one that stretches back to 1992, when the first batch of women officers was commissioned through the Short Service Commission route. Since then, that presence has only grown stronger and more visible.

The Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling directed that serving women Short Service Commission officers be considered for permanent commission on the same terms as their male counterparts, expanding pathways that earlier generations did not have.

Women have since gone on to command units, lead international military exercises, and brief the nation on major operations, as seen when Colonel Sofiya Qureshi addressed the country on Operation Sindoor in 2025.

Major Shekhawat’s ADC posting adds another chapter to that continuum. Her selection signals that, as the institution continues to evolve, leadership and trust are increasingly being defined by merit and performance.

An inspiration in the making

For young women preparing for the CDS exam, the SSB interview, or life at OTA, Major Shekhawat's story offers something concrete to hold on to. It shows that a career that begins with disciplined exam preparation can eventually lead to standing at the President's side during the nation's most important ceremonies.

It also reflects a truth that many veteran women officers have long championed, that branches like the Army Service Corps, often seen as less glamorous than combat postings, can still lead to some of the most prestigious appointments the military has to offer.

As she continues her tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Major Navya Shekhawat stands as a powerful reminder to defence aspirants across India that discipline, merit, and persistence can, quite literally, open the doors of history.

Sources

'Meet Major Navya Shekhawat: First Woman Indian Army Officer to Serve as ADC to the President of India': by SSBCrack Editorial Team for SSBCrack, Published in July 2026

'Yashasvi Solanki is First Woman ADC to President': by Udaipur Times, Published on 11 June 2025

'Lt Commander Yashasvi Solankee Becomes First Woman ADC to President of India': by Shivam for Adda247 Current Affairs, Published on 16 June 2025

Source: The Better India