Major Navya Shekhawat Makes History As First Army Woman Officer Appointed ADC To President

Major Navya Shekhawat has achieved a significant milestone as she emerged as the first woman officer from the Indian Army to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu. Her appointment at Rashtrapati Bhavan represents another step forward in the expanding role of women in the Indian armed forces.

With the appointment, Shekhawat becomes the second woman officer to hold the position of ADC to the President. Her predecessor, Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy, held the post in 2025.

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Who is an ADC?

An ADC plays an important role in accompanying the President during official engagements and maintaining military and ceremonial protocol, besides coordinating with senior civilian and military officials.

Navya’s Journey

During official events at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu is often seen surrounded by senior officials, dignitaries and military personnel. Among them is Major Navya Shekhawat, a young and enthusiastic Army officer who has recently attracted attention.

Navya emerges as the first woman overall to serve as the President’s ADC in 2025. Although the position is often associated with ceremonial appearances alongside the President, the ADC’s role involves much more than that.

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Traditionally, the President has five ADCs, which include three from the Army, one each from the Navy and the Air Force. These senior officials assist the President during official engagements and ceremonies, besides maintaining military and ceremonial protocol.

Like several youths aspiring to join the armed forces, Shekhawat’s journey began with the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Reports said she secured a place in the merit list for the Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course and then underwent training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

Upon finishing training, Shekhawat was commissioned into the Army Service Corps (ASC) – responsible for important logistical functions, such as supplies, transportation and other systems that are needed to keep military formations operational.

She was commissioned around the middle of 2021 and then earned promotion to the rank of major within a few years. Her appointment as the President’s ADC in 2026 came roughly five years after she began her commissioned service, reports said.

Significantly, women started entering the Indian Army via the Short Service Commission route in 1992. Following that, the opportunities expanded through various policy changes as well as judicial interventions.

The Supreme Court had in 2020 stated that eligible women officers serving under the Short Service Commission should be considered for Permanent Commission on the same terms compared to their male counterparts.