Kannadaguy: Navya Shekhawat.jpeg

2026-09-18T17:24:04Z

Navya Shekhawat.jpeg

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	\| birth_date = {{birth year and age\|1997}}		\| birth_date = {{birth year and age\|1997}}

Kannadaguy: First woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as an ADC to the President.

2026-09-18T15:32:02Z

First woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as an ADC to the President.

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{{Short description|Indian Army officer and aide-de-camp to the President of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2026}}

{{Infobox military person
| name = Navya Shekhawat
| honorific_prefix = Major
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1997}}
| birth_place = Kerpura, Sikar district, Rajasthan, India
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears = 2021–present
| rank = [[Major (India)|Major]]
| unit = [[Army Service Corps (India)|Army Service Corps]]
| laterwork = [[Aide-de-camp]] to the [[President of India]] (2026–present)
}}

'''Navya Shekhawat''' is an officer of the [[Indian Army]] serving in the [[Army Service Corps (India)|Army Service Corps]]. In 2026, she was appointed an [[aide-de-camp]] (ADC) to the [[President of India]], [[Droupadi Murmu]]. She became the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as an ADC to the President.<ref name="TOI-edu">{{cite news |title=From CDS to Rashtrapati Bhavan: Major Navya Shekhawat becomes first woman Army officer to serve as President's ADC |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/from-cds-to-rashtrapati-bhavan-major-navya-shekhawat-becomes-first-woman-army-officer-to-serve-as-presidents-adc/articleshow/134327867.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="Statesman">{{cite news |title=Who is Major Navya Shekhawat? Meet the first woman Army officer to serve as President Droupadi Murmu's ADC |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/who-is-major-navya-shekhawat-meet-the-first-woman-army-officer-to-serve-as-president-droupadi-murmus-adc-1503638447.html |work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=14 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> She is the second woman overall to hold the appointment, following [[Lieutenant Commander]] Yashasvi Solanki of the [[Indian Navy]], who became the first woman to serve as a presidential ADC in 2025.<ref name="TOI-people">{{cite news |title=Meet the woman Army officer now serving as President Murmu's ADC: Who is Major Navya Shekhawat? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/meet-the-woman-army-officer-now-serving-as-president-murmus-adc-who-is-major-navya-shekhawat/articleshow/133952523.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=9 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="ET">{{cite news |title=Who is Major Navya Shekhawat, first woman Army officer appointed President's Aide-De-Camp |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/who-is-major-navya-shekhawat-first-woman-army-officer-appointed-presidents-aide-de-camp-assisting-her-in-official-duties-/articleshow/133956158.cms |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=9 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==

Shekhawat was born in 1997 and is from Kerpura village in the Khandela block of [[Sikar district]], [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="NDTV-gf">{{cite news |title=राष्ट्रपति की ADC नव्या शेखावत के दादा रहे विंग कमांडर, बताई पोती के संघर्ष की पूरी कहानी |url=https://ndtv.in/india/navya-shekhawat-president-adc-success-story-grandfather-interview-12059092 |work=[[NDTV]] |language=hi |date=17 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="ETV">{{cite news |title=राजस्थान की बेटी ने बढ़ाया मान, राष्ट्रपति की ADC बनीं सीकर की मेजर नव्या शेखावत |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/navya-shekhawat-as-first-female-army-adc-officer-deployed-president-security-rjs26091800914 |work=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=hi |date=18 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref>

Shekhawat's family has a background in the [[Indian Air Force]]. Her grandfather, Wing Commander Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, served in the IAF, while her father, Group Captain Karan Singh Shekhawat, was serving in the IAF as of 2026.<ref name="NDTV-gf"/><ref name="ETV"/><ref name="Patrika">{{cite news |title=Major Navya Shekhawat : राजस्थान की बेटी मेजर नव्या शेखावत ने रचा इतिहास, बनीं राष्ट्रपति की पहली महिला आर्मी ADC |url=https://www.patrika.com/jaipur-news/major-navya-shekhawat-president-first-woman-army-adc-rajasthan-20915805 |work=[[Rajasthan Patrika]] |language=hi |date=18 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> Shekhawat is the third generation of her family to serve in the armed forces, following her grandfather and father.<ref name="NDTV-gf"/><ref name="Patrika"/>

She received schooling in different cities because of her father's postings, including [[Delhi]]. She later completed a bachelor's degree in economics from the Modi Institute in [[Lachhmangarh|Lakshmangarh]], Sikar district.<ref name="NDTV-gf"/>

== Military career ==

=== Entry and commissioning ===

Shekhawat entered the Army through the [[Combined Defence Services Examination]] conducted by the [[Union Public Service Commission]]. She appeared in the CDS (I) 2020 examination and was selected for the 27th Short Service Commission Women (Non-Technical) Course at the [[Officers Training Academy]], [[Chennai]].<ref name="TOI-edu"/><ref name="ET"/>

Her name appears at number seven in the OTA women's merit list for the CDS (I) 2020 examination, with roll number 1110476.<ref name="DDE-merit">{{cite web |title=CDS 1 2020 Merit List Officers Training Academy |url=https://defencedirecteducation.com/2021/05/24/cds-1-2020-merit-list-officers-training-academy/ |website=Defence Direct Education |date=24 May 2021 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="IASPortal">{{cite web |title=(Result) UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (I) (OTA) 2020 |url=https://iasexamportal.com/cds/result/2020-ota |website=UPSC IAS EXAM PORTAL |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> The published merit list records 51 candidates in the women's category, with Shekhawat listed seventh.<ref name="DDE-merit"/>

After completing her training at the Officers Training Academy, Shekhawat was commissioned into the [[Army Service Corps (India)|Army Service Corps]] in 2021.<ref name="TOI-edu"/><ref name="Statesman"/><ref name="TimesNow">{{cite news |title=From Rajasthan to Rashtrapati Bhavan: Major Navya Shekhawat becomes Indian Army's first woman ADC to the President |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/education/success-story-from-rajasthan-to-rashtrapati-bhavan-major-navya-shekhawat-becomes-indian-armys-first-woman-adc-to-the-president-article-156132065 |work=[[Times Now]] |date=10 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> The Army Service Corps is responsible for logistical functions including supply and transport.<ref name="TBI">{{cite news |title=Major Navya Shekhawat is first woman Army officer on the President's ADC team |url=https://thebetterindia.com/upsc/major-navya-shekhawat-first-army-woman-presidents-adc-12181827 |work=[[The Better India]] |date=20 July 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> She subsequently attained the rank of [[Major (India)|Major]].<ref name="ET"/><ref name="Statesman"/>

=== Aide-de-camp to the President ===

In 2026, Shekhawat was appointed as an ADC to President Droupadi Murmu and began serving at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]]. Reports about her appointment place the beginning of her tenure around July 2026.<ref name="TimesNow"/><ref name="Logical">{{cite news |title=Meet Rajasthan's Major Navya Shekhawat, first woman Army officer to serve as President's ADC |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/navya-shekhawat-first-woman-adc-125638/ |work=The Logical Indian |date=3 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="DNA">{{cite news |title=Who is Navya Shekhawat? Know about first woman officer to serve as President's Aide-de-camp |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-who-is-navya-shekhawat-know-about-first-woman-officer-to-serve-as-president-s-aide-de-camp-3220325 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]] |date=11 September 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref>

The appointment made Shekhawat the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as a presidential ADC.<ref name="TOI-edu"/><ref name="Statesman"/> The appointment followed that of Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy, who became the first woman officer to serve as an ADC to the President in 2025.<ref name="TOI-people"/><ref name="TBI"/>

The President's military staff includes ADCs drawn from the armed forces. Reports state that the President is customarily assisted by five military ADCs, including three from the Army and one each from the Navy and Air Force.<ref name="TOI-edu"/><ref name="Vajiram">{{cite web |title=Major Navya Shekhawat, first woman Army officer ADC to President |url=https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/major-navya-shekhawat/ |website=Vajiram & Ravi |date=31 August 2026 |access-date=18 September 2026}}</ref> ADCs assist the President during official engagements and ceremonial functions and undertake duties involving coordination and military protocol.<ref name="TOI-people"/><ref name="TBI"/>

The ADC appointment is held by a serving military officer and does not constitute a separate form of entry into the armed forces.<ref name="Logical"/> Shekhawat's appointment came approximately five years after her commissioning in 2021.<ref name="TOI-people"/><ref name="ET"/>

== See also ==

* [[Women in the Indian Armed Forces]]
* [[Aide-de-camp]]
* [[Army Service Corps (India)]]
* [[Officers Training Academy]]
* [[Droupadi Murmu]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shekhawat, Navya}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Women in the Indian Army]]
[[Category:People from Sikar district]]
[[Category:Aides-de-camp]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the 21st century]]
[[Category:Officers Training Academy alumni]]

Navya Shekhawat - Revision history

Kannadaguy: Navya Shekhawat.jpeg

Kannadaguy: First woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as an ADC to the President.