Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto (Retired) has carved a distinctive place in Ladakh’s military history as the first woman from the Leh region to become an Indian Army officer and the first female skydiver from Ladakh. From growing up near an Air Force station in Spituk to serving for a decade in the Army and completing 54 solo skydives, her journey represents courage, determination and a willingness to venture into fields where few women from the region had gone before.
Her contribution did not end with her retirement from military service. Major Kolto has continued to remain closely involved in initiatives supporting veterans, military families and communities in Ladakh. Her sustained work was recognised in June 2026 when Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi felicitated her during his visit to the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps.
Growing Up in Spituk Near an Air Force Station
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto comes from Spituk, a village near Leh that is located close to an Indian Air Force station. The regular sight of military personnel in uniform played an important role in shaping her childhood ambition.
Although seeing male personnel around the station was common, the presence of women officers and pilots made a particularly strong impression on her. It encouraged her to consider why a girl from Ladakh could not pursue the same profession and serve the country in uniform.
The 1999 Kargil War further strengthened this ambition. During the conflict, she witnessed male and female pilots operating from the nearby Air Force station. Watching women participate in an important national military effort convinced her that a career in the armed forces was possible regardless of gender or geographical background.
From that period onward, joining the military became more than a passing childhood aspiration. It developed into a clear personal objective.
NCC Provided the Foundation
Major Kolto participated in the National Cadet Corps during both her school and college years. The NCC exposed her to military discipline, physical training, leadership and organised outdoor activities.
For a young woman from Ladakh aspiring to enter the armed forces, the organisation provided a practical bridge between ambition and opportunity. It helped her understand the discipline required for military life while giving her the confidence to pursue officer-level entry into the Army.
Her journey also demonstrated the importance of seeking opportunities instead of waiting for favourable circumstances. At a time when women from remote Himalayan regions had limited visibility in the officer cadre, she chose to prepare herself and compete for a place in the armed forces.
Joining the Indian Army
Major Kolto received her call letter from the Indian Army in 2010. She subsequently underwent approximately one year of officer training, which she completed in 2011.
Following her commissioning, she served in the Army for around ten years and rose to the rank of Major. Her entry into the force marked a significant milestone for women from the Leh region, where military service had traditionally been associated largely with men.
Her achievement helped expand the idea of what was possible for young Ladakhi women. She demonstrated that candidates from remote, high-altitude communities could successfully compete, complete demanding military training and serve as commissioned officers.
Life in the Army required physical endurance, mental resilience, adaptability and the ability to work under pressure. These qualities would later also become visible through her involvement in adventure activities.
Becoming Ladakh’s First Female Skydiver
Major Kolto’s willingness to take on challenges extended beyond her regular military responsibilities. With a strong interest in outdoor and adventure activities, she pursued skydiving and qualified to undertake solo jumps.
She went on to become the first female skydiver from Ladakh and completed 54 solo skydives at different locations in India and Dubai.
Skydiving requires extensive preparation, technical understanding and the ability to remain composed in a high-risk environment. A solo jumper must assess altitude, body position, wind conditions, parachute deployment and landing procedures while making decisions within seconds.
For Major Kolto, the experience was not merely about seeking adventure. Skydiving offered a fresh perspective on life and reinforced her belief that personal limits can be expanded through training and courage.
Her guiding philosophy has remained: “If everyone else can do it, why can’t I?”
That belief enabled her to challenge assumptions surrounding women from remote regions and encouraged her to pursue activities that demanded exceptional confidence and self-discipline.
Participation in Adventure Activities
In addition to skydiving, Major Kolto participated in adventure and mountaineering activities involving women officers of the Indian Army. Such expeditions are designed to test endurance, teamwork, leadership and survival skills under difficult environmental conditions.
Ladakh’s high-altitude terrain may have shaped her physical resilience, but her achievements were ultimately built upon sustained training and determination. Running, climbing, parachuting and operating in demanding environments require preparation irrespective of a person’s place of origin.
Her experiences also reflected the wider opportunities available to women officers in the armed forces. Military service can provide exposure not only to leadership and operational responsibilities but also to mountaineering, parachuting, sports and specialised training.
Choosing Life Beyond Active Service
After approximately ten years in uniform, Major Kolto opted for release from the Army. Her decision was influenced by a desire to spend more time with her parents and achieve greater balance in her personal life.
However, retirement did not bring an end to her association with service. She continued contributing to the welfare of veterans and communities in Ladakh.
Her post-retirement involvement has been linked to efforts supporting ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, military families and veterans requiring medical or administrative assistance. She has also contributed to initiatives concerning healthcare access, community development, skill-building and self-reliance in remote parts of Ladakh.
This phase of her life underlines an important aspect of military service: the values developed in uniform frequently continue to guide veterans throughout their lives.
Felicitated by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto was among five distinguished veterans felicitated by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during his visit to the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh in June 2026.
The other veterans recognised on the occasion included Colonel Tondup Wangail, Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Sonam Morup, Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Tashi Chhepal, Vir Chakra, and Naik Ghulam Haider.
The recognition highlighted the veterans’ contributions to healthcare, veterans’ welfare, community development and nation-building. Their collective initiatives helped expand assistance for ex-servicemen and Veer Naris, support veterans requiring medical care and improve community outreach in remote areas.
For Major Kolto, the felicitation was an acknowledgement of a journey that continued well beyond her years of active military duty.
Her Advice to Young Defence Aspirants
Major Kolto has consistently emphasised that candidates should not select a career merely because it has become popular or because others around them are pursuing it. Aspirants must first understand whether they possess genuine interest and whether they are prepared for the challenges associated with their chosen profession.
A military career offers extensive opportunities, but it also demands physical fitness, emotional stability, discipline and the ability to function effectively under stressful conditions.
Young women aspiring to become officers can explore entries through examinations and selection processes such as the National Defence Academy examination, the Combined Defence Services examination and the Services Selection Board interview.
Major Kolto also stresses the importance of parental encouragement. She believes families should maintain open communication with children, recognise their individual strengths and encourage them to pursue activities that build confidence and practical skills.
Her advice centres on maintaining a positive outlook, remaining physically active, developing discipline and understanding that patience and hard work are essential for meaningful success.
An Inspiration for Women From Remote Regions
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto’s story carries particular significance for girls growing up in Ladakh and other remote parts of India. Limited exposure, geographical isolation and traditional expectations can sometimes discourage young people from considering unconventional careers.
Her journey proves that such barriers can be overcome through awareness, preparation and family support.
She entered the Indian Army when women officers from Ladakh were still rare, completed a decade of military service, rose to the rank of Major and became the region’s first female skydiver. After leaving active service, she continued working for the welfare of veterans and local communities.
Her achievements are not defined by a single milestone. They represent a continuous commitment to challenging limits and creating opportunities for others.
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto’s life demonstrates that wearing the uniform may be one chapter of service, but the values of courage, responsibility and service before self can remain lifelong. For defence aspirants and young women searching for inspiration, her journey from Spituk to the skies offers a powerful reminder that background does not have to determine destiny.
