New Delhi: Major Navya Shekhawat has become a well-known figure in the Indian Army after being appointed as the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu.
Her appointment at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2026 is a significant moment in her career and highlights the increasing presence of women in India’s armed forces.

Born in Kerpura village of Sikar district in Rajasthan, Major Navya Shekhawat comes from a family with a long tradition of military service.
Her grandfather, retired Wing Commander Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, has shared insights about her journey, mentioning her early interest in serving the country and her ability to take on responsibilities.According to NDTV, Navya represents the third generation of her family to serve in the military.

Major Navya Shekhawat’s Early Life:

Navya was born in 1998 and grew up in Kerpura village, near Khandela in Sikar district.
Although her family is originally from Rajasthan, her early education was shaped by her father’s military postings.She studied in several cities, including Delhi, before completing her higher education in Rajasthan.

Her family upbringing played a key role in forming her interest in the armed forces.
Her father is a Group Captain, and her grandfather served in the Indian Air Force.Rather than simply following in their footsteps, Navya opted for the competitive UPSC Combined Defence Services examination to build her own career in the military.

Education and Academic Background:

Major Navya Shekhawat completed her graduation in Economics from Modi Institute in Laxmangarh, Sikar, Rajasthan, as reported by NDTV in an interview with her grandfather.
Her academic achievements laid a solid foundation for her preparation for the Combined Defence Services examination.

She entered the Indian Army through the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination-I, 2020.
She was placed in the women’s merit list for the Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.NDTV reports that she ranked seventh nationally among women candidates and first in Rajasthan in the CDS examination.

This achievement was notable, as the CDS examination is a major competitive pathway for young people who wish to join the armed forces.

Training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai:

After passing the CDS examination, Navya joined the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
The OTA training program is designed to transform candidates into military officers by combining physical training, military instruction, leadership development, and strict discipline.

Her training prepared her for the demands of commissioned service.

Upon completing the course, she was commissioned into the Army Service Corps (ASC) in 2021.The Army Service Corps plays a vital role in ensuring logistics, supplies, transportation, and other support necessary for military operations.

From Lieutenant to Major in Five Years:

Major Shekhawat’s career advanced quickly after her commissioning.
According to NDTV, she was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2021, promoted to Captain after three years, and reached the rank of Major after about five years of commissioned service.

Her career finally led her to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she took up the prestigious role of ADC to President Droupadi Murmu in 2026.

Her journey from an Army Service Corps officer to the President’s ADC highlights the range of roles that can be assigned to young officers with the necessary professional background and leadership skills.

First Woman Army Officer to Become President’s ADC:

Major Navya Shekhawat’s appointment holds special significance as she is the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as ADC to the President of India.
She is also the second woman overall to hold the President’s ADC position.

The first woman to occupy this role was Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy, who was appointed as a Presidential ADC in 2025.
Major Shekhawat’s appointment therefore marks the achievement for the Indian Army.

Traditionally, the President has five ADCs, comprising three officers from the Army and one each from the Navy and Air Force.

These officers are part of the military support system that surrounds the President during official events and ceremonial occasions.

What Does a President’s ADC Do?

The role of an Aide-de-Camp goes beyond simply accompanying the President during public events.
ADCs assist with official engagements, ceremonies, and military protocol.They also help coordinate between the President’s office and the Armed Forces.

They may be present during state functions, investiture ceremonies, diplomatic events, military ceremonies, and other significant programmes involving the President.
The position demands discipline, attention to detail, coordination skills, and the ability to function effectively in a highly formal setting.

For Major Shekhawat, this assignment places her at the center of some of the country’s most important constitutional and ceremonial events.

Her appointment comes at a time when opportunities for women officers in the Indian Armed Forces are expanding across various roles and responsibilities.

Her achievement is significant not only due to the ceremonial visibility of the President’s ADC role but also because of the journey that led to it — passing a competitive national examination, undergoing rigorous military training, being commissioned into the Army Service Corps, and advancing to the rank of Major within a relatively short time.

For young defence aspirants, especially women preparing for the CDS examination, her career serves as a contemporary example of a potential path from competitive examination to commissioned military service, and ultimately to a high-profile appointment.

From Kerpura to Rashtrapati Bhavan:

Major Navya Shekhawat’s story links a village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district with the country’s highest constitutional office.
From her early education in different cities, graduating in Economics, clearing the CDS, training at OTA Chennai, and serving in the Army Service Corps, each stage has played a role in shaping her professional journey.

Vamaindia.in wish her a great career on this new journey.