New national crush has officially taken the spotlight; Meet Major Navya Shekhawat, President’s ADC

NEW DELHI: Major Navya Shekhawat has achieved an important milestone in the history of the Indian Army. She is the second woman officer to be appointed as the President’s ADC (Aide-de-Camp) and the first woman officer from the Indian Army to hold the post. Commissioned into the Army in 2021, she took charge as the President’s ADC in just five years.

In addition to accompanying the President during official ceremonies and events at Rashtrapati Bhavan, ADCs have several other official responsibilities. These include coordinating with senior military and civil officials, ensuring that official protocols are followed, and participating in various national ceremonies and events such as Guard of Honour ceremonies.

The President generally has five ADCs. Three officers are from the army, while one each from the navy and the air force. Along with providing the necessary assistance during the President’s official engagements, they play an important role in ensuring that military and ceremonial procedures are carried out properly.

Navya Shekhawat, a native of Kerpur in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, entered military service through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). After securing a place on the merit list for the Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical course, she completed her training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. She was subsequently commissioned into the Army Service Corps in 2021. Rising to the rank of Major within a few years, she was appointed as the President’s ADC in 2026.

Navya Shekhawat is the second woman officer to be appointed as the President’s ADC. In 2025, Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy became the first woman to hold the post. However, Navya has achieved the distinction of becoming the first woman officer from the Indian Army to serve as the President’s ADC.