Major Navya Shekhawat has etched her name into the history books by becoming the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu. The appointment signals a notable shift in the traditionally male-dominated sphere of presidential protocol and military honours.
The role of Aide-de-Camp is one of the most prestigious assignments an armed forces officer can receive. ADCs act as personal assistants to the President of India, managing official schedules, coordinating visiting ceremonies, and serving as a liaison between the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the defence services. Traditionally, this position has been held exclusively by senior army, navy, or air force officers — and almost always men.
Major Shekhawat's selection underscores the Indian Army's gradual but steady push toward gender integration at all levels of service. While women have been commissioned into combat roles since 2023, appointments to high-visibility ceremonial posts like the ADC remain rare milestones. Her posting is expected to inspire a new generation of women officers serving in the armed forces.
The President's Office has confirmed the appointment, describing it as a reflection of the evolving role of women in India's national security apparatus. Military analysts say such appointments also send a powerful message about institutional change within the armed forces, which have historically resisted structural reforms aimed at greater gender inclusion.
Major Shekhawat will now be stationed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she will discharge duties that include accompanying the President at state functions, receiving foreign dignitaries, and assisting with official communications between the executive and the military establishment. Her tenure as ADC is likely to be closely watched as a potential precedent for future appointments.
