Commander Prerna Deosthalee: Pioneering Indian Navy Officer and KBC Independence Day Guest
Commander Prerna Deosthalee, recognized as a prominent figure in the Indian Navy, recently made an appearance on the Independence Day special episode of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. This episode highlighted the valor, expertise, and achievements of the Indian armed forces, with a special focus on women officers who have excelled in roles traditionally dominated by men.
On Navy Day in December 2023, Prerna Deosthalee achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female officer to command an Indian Naval warship, INS Trinkat, a Waterjet Fast Attack Craft stationed in Goa. This appointment signifies progress in the Navy's policy allowing women to occupy various roles and ranks.
Commander Deosthalee currently oversees an all-male crew of approximately 50 members aboard INS Trinkat, which is integral to operations such as fisheries protection, anti-poaching, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions along India's coastline.
Raised in the Colaba area of Mumbai, Prerna was exposed to naval environments that fueled her interest in maritime service. She attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Mumbai and participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a naval cadet.
She later pursued a postgraduate degree in psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. While studying for her MA in Kolhapur, the Indian Navy opened observer positions for women. Motivated by her father, she applied and successfully passed the entrance examination in 2009.
Commissioned in July 2009, Commander Deosthalee secured a permanent commission in 2020. Her career began as a naval air observer, where she became the first female observer on the Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft and later served on the Boeing P-8I Poseidon.
In 2012, she was awarded the Indian Navy Videsh Seva Medal for her involvement in anti-piracy operations that thwarted a Somali pirate hijacking attempt on a Chinese merchant vessel. Additionally, she became the first woman to qualify as a navigation instructor in the Indian Armed Forces, where she trained new naval air operations officers.
In December 2016, she completed an Advanced Navigation Course at the Air Force School in Begumpet, Hyderabad. Before assuming command of INS Trinkat, she was the First Lieutenant (Deputy Executive Officer) on the Kolkata-class destroyer INS Chennai.
Prerna and her younger brother, Commander Ishan Deosthalee, have achieved a unique distinction by being the first siblings to simultaneously command Indian Navy warships. While she commands INS Trinkat, her brother leads INS Vibhuti, a Veer-class missile ship, both under the Western Command of the Navy.
On August 15, 2025, Commander Deosthalee participated in the "Swatantrata Diwas Maha Utsav" episode of KBC. She joined Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to discuss her involvement in Operation Sindoor, a precision mission executed without civilian casualties.
Host Amitabh Bachchan engaged the officers in discussions about their careers and led the audience in patriotic chants. The appearance aimed to motivate young Indians, particularly women, to consider careers in the armed forces.
Commander Deosthalee often emphasizes that "The Navy is not a job or a career – it is a way of life." She advocates that gender should never limit anyone and stresses the importance of self-belief for those aspiring to join the forces.
She highlights that women in the Navy receive the same training and responsibilities as their male counterparts, whether in navigation, air operations, or combat duties.
From her beginnings as a naval cadet to commanding a warship and appearing on a widely viewed TV show, Commander Prerna Deosthalee's journey is a testament to determination, skill, and service. Her career embodies the evolving role of women in India's armed forces and serves as an inspiration for future officers.
