Fifth-Generation Officer Becomes First Woman in Family to Join Indian Army
Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal has been commissioned into the Indian Army, becoming the first woman officer in her family's five-generation lineage of military service. She graduated from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, winning the President's Gold Medal for placing first in the Order of Merit. Her family's service dates back to her great-great-grandfather in 1896. Her commissioning is a historic moment, as she joins her father, a serving Major General, and her brother, a Captain, in the armed forces.
Unpacked:
Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal's achievement is significant because it highlights the increasing opportunities for women in the Indian Army, an institution historically dominated by men. Her success, especially as a President's Gold Medalist, serves as inspiration and reflects broader efforts toward gender equality and inclusion in Indian armed forces since the early 1990s.
Women in the Indian Armed Forces have gained access to more roles, including combat and leadership positions, especially after reforms in 2015 and the National Defence Academy opening to women in 2021. Female representation has grown, with more than 1,500 women commissioned by 2023 and projections for further increases.
Despite progress, women face challenges such as persistent stereotypes, physical and psychological demands of military training, and systemic biases in recruitment and promotions. Efforts to overcome these include awareness campaigns, preparatory programs, and policy reforms to ensure fair treatment and support systems.
Military service across generations is respected but relatively uncommon in India, especially for women. While family military traditions exist, it is rare for women to be the first female officer in a multi-generation lineage, making Lieutenant Dhadwal’s commissioning particularly noteworthy in the context of evolving gender roles.