Daijiworld Media Network - Udaipur
Udaipur, Jul 27: Captain Shiva Chauhan scripted history in January 2023 by becoming the first woman officer in the Indian Army to be operationally deployed at Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. Her landmark achievement marked a major step towards greater gender inclusion in the armed forces and inspired countless young women to pursue military careers.
Hailing from Udaipur, Rajasthan, Shiva faced adversity early in life after losing her father at the age of 11. Raised by her mother with the support of her elder sister, she remained determined to fulfil her childhood dream of joining the Indian Army despite financial and personal challenges.
After completing a BTech in Civil Engineering from Techno NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur, she prepared for the Short Service Commission (Technical) entry into the Army. In 2020, she secured All India Rank 1 in the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, earning a place at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. She was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in May 2021.
Following postings in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, Captain Chauhan proved her mettle in challenging operational conditions. In 2022, she led the Sura Soi Cycling Expedition, covering over 500 km from the Siachen War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial, demonstrating exceptional endurance and leadership.
Before her Siachen deployment, she underwent specialised training at the Siachen Battle School, where she mastered glacier movement, avalanche response, high-altitude survival and rescue operations under extreme conditions.
On January 2, 2023, Captain Chauhan was deployed to Kumar Post, situated at an altitude of around 15,632 feet, where soldiers endure temperatures as low as minus 50°C, low oxygen levels, heavy snowfall and frequent avalanches. As an officer in the Corps of Engineers, she led an engineering team responsible for maintaining military infrastructure, helipads and operational logistics while ensuring troop readiness in one of the world's harshest environments.
Her successful deployment demonstrated that operational excellence is determined by skill, training and leadership rather than gender. Today, Captain Shiva Chauhan's journey—from overcoming personal tragedy to securing AIR 1 in the SSB and serving at the world's highest battlefield—continues to inspire defence aspirants, especially women, aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces.