Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga
Shivamogga, Nov 10: Bringing national recognition to Karnataka, 19-year-old Shreya N Gowda, an engineering student at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, has secured All India Rank 1 in the women's category of the prestigious UPSC National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026.
Hailing from Thimmapura village in Bhadravathi taluk of Shivamogga district, Shreya achieved the distinction in her very first attempt. With her childhood dream of joining the Armed Forces now within reach, she has decided to leave her engineering course midway and pursue a career in the Indian Army.
Her remarkable achievement has drawn widespread appreciation, with chief minister D K Shivakumar, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and State BJP president and MLA B Y Vijayendra among those who congratulated her, her parents and teachers. Political leaders described her success as a proud moment for Karnataka and an inspiration to young women aspiring to serve the nation.
A childhood dream finds wings
For Shreya, joining the Armed Forces was never a passing childhood ambition. She had wanted to pursue a career beyond the conventional choices of engineering and medicine from as early as class 5.
The turning point came when she was studying in class 8 and learnt that women would be allowed to join the National Defence Academy following a landmark Supreme Court intervention in 2021.
"I was extremely happy when I learnt that girls could join the NDA. I realised that an opportunity I had been waiting for was finally available, and I wanted to make the most of it," she said.
The development strengthened her determination to join the Armed Forces and serve the country.
Personality development before intensive preparation
Instead of immediately plunging into intensive examination preparation, Shreya initially concentrated on developing her overall personality and abilities. She actively participated in debates, drawing and elocution competitions and won first prize in a state-level debate competition.
Academically gifted, she consistently remained among the top performers. She studied from Class 1 to Class 10 at Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Central School (BGS) in Karehalli village of Bhadravathi taluk, where she topped both her school and the taluk in the class 10 examination.
She subsequently moved to Bengaluru to pursue her Pre-University Course (PUC) at BASE College in Rajajinagar, while also preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
The two years of rigorous preparation, particularly in mathematics and science, proved extremely useful in the NDA written examination, which she found comparatively easier than JEE.
Five-day SSB interview proved tougher
While Shreya was confident about the written examination, the five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview presented a considerably greater challenge.
She prepared for the selection process through regular running practice, reading newspapers, closely following international political and geopolitical developments and attending a 14-day training programme in Nagpur.
"I was confident about the written examination, but the SSB was different. It assesses your personality, leadership, decision-making and ability to work in a team," she said.
Family's support behind her success
Shreya credited her parents and cousins for their constant encouragement and support throughout her journey.
Her father, Nagendra J, works at the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), while her mother, Asha B M, is a lecturer.
She particularly recalled how her father never pressured her over academic marks or career choices. Instead, he always encouraged her to choose a field that made her happy and pursue it wholeheartedly.
Her mother expressed immense happiness over her daughter's achievement, saying Shreya had been an excellent student since childhood and that joining the Armed Forces had always been her long-standing dream.
"Joining the military was always her dream. Once the opportunity for girls to join the NDA opened up, her focus was firmly on getting into the academy. She has now achieved what she had set out to do," Asha said.
Engineering gives way to military ambition
Currently pursuing engineering at NITK, Surathkal, Shreya has decided to discontinue her course midway and join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla in Pune.
She aspires to serve in the Indian Army and has a particular interest in defence technology and engineering.
For young women aspiring to pursue their ambitions, Shreya has a clear message: they should have clarity about their goals and communicate their aspirations openly to their families.
"Be brave enough to tell the world what you want to do. Prioritise your goals and, if necessary, find a way to pursue them," she advised.
Political leaders hail achievement
Shreya's accomplishment has attracted congratulatory messages from political leaders across the state.
Chief minister D K Shivakumar, in a congratulatory post on X, said: "Heartiest congratulations to Shreya N Gowda from Bhadravathi for securing All India First Rank in the women's category of the UPSC NDA examination in her very first attempt. Shreya has dreamt of joining the Armed Forces and serving the country since childhood. It is wonderful to see her hard work and determination bring her this success. She has made her family and all of Karnataka proud. I wish her the very best as she moves closer to realising her dream."
Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara, in a separate statement, said Shreya had achieved the distinction in her maiden attempt, fulfilling her childhood aspiration of joining the Armed Forces. He commended her hard work, determination and dedication, describing her success as a proud moment for Karnataka.
He added that her achievement would inspire young women across the state who aspire to join the Armed Forces and serve the nation. He also congratulated her family members and teachers for supporting her journey and wished her success in her future endeavours.
State BJP president and MLA B Y Vijayendra also congratulated Shreya for securing All India Rank 1 in the women's category of the UPSC NDA examination, describing her achievement as a matter of pride for Karnataka and noting that she had brought laurels to the state at the national level.
Chief minister Shivakumar also joined in congratulating Shreya, her parents and teachers on the remarkable achievement.