The year 2023 witnessed a remarkable breakthrough in the Indian defense forces as women officers continued to break barriers and carve their names in history. The Indian government’s commitment to gender inclusivity in the armed forces was evident through various initiatives and policy changes.
Women Officers Who Motivated and Inspired in 2023
Commander Prerna Deosthalee
Commander Prerna Deosthalee is set to make history as the first woman officer of the Indian Navy to command the Indian Naval Warship, the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet. Currently serving as the First Lieutenant of the warship INS Chennai, Commander Deosthalee’s appointment is a significant milestone in the navy’s journey towards gender equality.
Group Captain Shaliza Dhami
Group Captain Shaliza Dhami shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first woman Air Force officer to take charge of a frontline combat unit. Her selection as the leader of a missile squadron in the western sector showcases the Air Force’s commitment to empowering women officers in critical roles.
Wing Commander Deepika Misra
Wing Commander Deepika Misra became the first woman officer in the IAF to be honored with a gallantry award. Recognized for her exceptional courage during flood relief operations in M.P and Rajasthan, Wing Commander Misra received the prestigious Vayu Sena Medal for her selfless service.
Captain Shiva Chouhan
Captain Shiva Chouhan etched her name in history by becoming the first woman officer to be operationally deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen. Trained at the Siachen Battle School, Captain Chouhan and her team of Sappers are responsible for crucial combat engineering tasks in this inhospitable terrain.
Women Officers in the Regiment of Artillery
 In a historic first, the Indian Army inducted its first batch of “Five Women Officers” into the Regiment of Artillery on April 29. Lt Mehak Saini, Lt Sakshi Dubey, Lt Aditi Yadav, Lt Pious Mudgil and Lt Akanksha joined the Army’s premier artillery units after completing their training at the OTA in Chennai. The Regiment of Artillery is a combat/fighting arm of the Indian Army.
Col Sunita
On November 22, 2023, Army Medical Corps Officer Col Sunita became the first woman to command the Armed Forces Transfusion Centre, Delhi Cantt, the largest blood transfusion centre of the Armed Force. Graduating from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences
Captain Surbhi Jakhmola
Captain Surbhi Jakhmola, an Indian Army officer from 117 Engineer Regiment, was posted to Border Road Organisation’s Project Dantak in Bhutan. She became the first woman officer to be posted on foreign assignment in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi
Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi was appointed as Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Governor of Mizoram. Squadron Leader Manisha is India’s first Woman Indian Armed Forces officer to be appointed as Aide-De-Camp(ADC) to the Governor in the country, said the Governor of Mizoram.
Colonel Shuchita Shekhar
She became the first women officer of the Army Service Corps to assume command of a Communication Zone Mechanical Transport Battalion responsible for the maintenance of the Supply Chain of the fully operational Northern Command, Indian Army Officials.
Colonel Geeta Rana
Colonel Geeta Rana of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers became the first woman officer to take over command of an Independent Field Workshop in a forward and remote location in Eastern Ladakh.
