Major Navya Shekhawat of the Army Service Corps made history in July 2026. She became the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as ADC to the President. She is also the second woman overall in that role. Here is her journey, step by step.
Major Navya Shekhawat and the President’s Team of Five ADCs
Major Navya Shekhawat now serves as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu. Aide-de-camp is a French term for a personal assistant to a senior leader. An ADC is a commissioned officer attached to a senior authority. The officer assists during official engagements and follows military etiquette. The President is traditionally assisted by five ADCs. Three come from the Army, and one each comes from the Navy and Air Force. For decades, these coveted posts went almost entirely to men.
The first woman to join this circle was from the Navy. Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki became the first woman ADC in May 2025. She took charge after a rigorous selection process at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Major Shekhawat’s appointment followed about 14 months later. That makes her the first woman from the Army and the second woman overall. Her duties include state functions, investiture ceremonies and diplomatic engagements. ADCs also help manage schedules, official visits and communication. They also coordinate with senior civilian and military officials.
Although often seen as ceremonial, the post carries real responsibility. It demands discipline, discretion and proper military etiquette. Many Indians first noticed her in photographs beside President Murmu. Reports soon asked who the young officer was. Her photographs and videos have travelled widely online. The role places her within Rashtrapati Bhavan’s protocol and public life. She has become a recognisable face for young Indians who dream of a career in uniform.
From a Sikar Village to the Officers Training Academy
Major Shekhawat hails from Kerpura village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. One report calls her a daughter of the Shekhawati region. Her path began the way it does for thousands of aspirants every year. She cleared the Combined Defence Services examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
That success earned her a place in the Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course. The course is held at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. The academy is one of the country’s premier institutions for shaping civilians into officers. Training there focuses on physical endurance, leadership drills and mental resilience.
She completed the training and was commissioned into the Army Service Corps in 2021. The Corps handles logistics, supplies, transport and the systems that keep troops ready. Within roughly five years, she reached the rank of Major. In July 2026, she took up her post at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Her rise came within a few years of service. It reflects the confidence the institution placed in her.
A Milestone Built on Decades of Change
This appointment cannot be separated from the story of women in the Army. That story goes back to 1992. In that year, the first batch of women officers was commissioned. They entered through the Short Service Commission route. Since then, women’s presence has grown stronger and more visible.
The Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling changed the pathway further. It directed that serving women Short Service Commission officers be considered for permanent commission. They would be considered on the same terms as their male counterparts. This expanded pathways that earlier generations did not have.
Women have since gone on to command units and lead international military exercises. In 2025, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi briefed the nation on Operation Sindoor. Major Navya Shekhawat adds another chapter to this long story. Her selection extends the Navy’s milestone into the Army. The Army traditionally supplies three of the five ADCs.
Here is a quick timeline. Women entered the Army through the Short Service Commission in 1992. The Supreme Court ruled on permanent commission in 2020. Shekhawat was commissioned into the Army Service Corps in 2021. Solanki became the first woman ADC in May 2025. Shekhawat became the first Army woman in the role in July 2026.
What Her Story Tells Defence Aspirants
Many aspirants prepare for the CDS exam, the SSB interview and life at the academy. Her story shows where disciplined preparation can lead. It can lead to standing beside the President at important national ceremonies. Her branch also carries a lesson. The Army Service Corps is often seen as less glamorous than combat postings. Yet it can lead to some of the most prestigious appointments in the military.
Permanent Commission has also been extended to several streams, including the Army Service Corps. Aspirants should read the official UPSC notification before applying. Eligibility details and dates are published there. Official sources should always be your first stop for exam details.
The Wise Take
Major Navya Shekhawat’s story is about more than a historic title. It shows how discipline, merit and persistence can open doors. She began as an aspirant from a Rajasthan village. Today, she stands beside the President of India. As she continues her tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the story is still being written. It sends a clear message about merit. This is also a shared milestone.
Yashasvi Solanki opened the door in 2025, and Shekhawat walked through it in 2026. Each first makes the next one easier to imagine. Representation changes what young people believe is possible. Logistics keeps troops ready, and her branch proves that every role matters. Major Navya Shekhawat shows that a village address does not limit a dream. So, keep preparing, keep trying, and keep faith in your own path.
Also read our other article on How K. Karthikeyani Took 239 Illegal Guns Out of Tamil Nadu’s Elephant Country and Won a Special Jury Award
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