Lieutenant Deeksha Tripathi Sets Milestone as First Woman to Complete AMAR Course at Army Institute, Pune

In a significant milestone for gender integration within the Indian Armed Forces, Lieutenant Deeksha Tripathi has emerged as the first woman combatant to complete the Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) course at the Army Institute of Physical Training in Pune. This achievement was announced by the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps on March 9, 2026.

Lieutenant Tripathi is serving with the Fire and Fury Corps in the strategically vital Ladakh region. Her success underscores exceptional physical endurance, mental resilience, and steadfast determination. The AMAR course is renowned as one of the most challenging combat training programs in the Indian Army, aimed at preparing soldiers for intense close-quarters combat scenarios.

Established in 2023, the Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) is a contemporary, standardized unarmed combat system designed to enhance soldiers' hand-to-hand combat skills and adaptability in unconventional battlefield situations. It incorporates elements of traditional Indian martial arts alongside international close-combat techniques, replacing older unarmed combat drills previously used by the Army.

The demanding training hones multiple combat skills, including bare-hand combat, weapon-based fighting, defense against sharp-edged and improvised weapons, and mental conditioning under extreme stress. Participants undergo rigorous endurance training, equipping them for operations in harsh environments such as high-altitude regions exceeding 14,000 feet along India's northern borders.

The course spans several weeks, featuring physically taxing drills that evaluate stamina, reflexes, balance, situational awareness, and controlled aggression. Training scenarios replicate real battlefield conditions, requiring soldiers to neutralize threats without conventional weaponry.

Despite the program's severe physical and psychological demands, Lieutenant Tripathi completed the course with distinction. The Indian Army's statement highlighted her ability to withstand its relentless challenges, excelling through sheer grit, perseverance, and determination.

Her accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given her assignment with the Fire and Fury Corps (XIV Corps), one of the Indian Army's most active operational formations tasked with safeguarding India's interests in the Ladakh sector. The region's harsh climate, high altitude, and sensitive border deployments present formidable challenges for soldiers.

Lieutenant Tripathi's achievement also marks a broader progression in the Indian Army's efforts to expand the role of women in military service. Over the past decade, women officers have increasingly been inducted into operational roles across various arms and services, highlighting the armed forces' growing emphasis on Nari Shakti.

Her success is widely regarded as an inspiring milestone, potentially encouraging more women officers to pursue advanced combat training and contribute to high-intensity operational roles. Defense observers believe that such accomplishments enhance both gender inclusivity and operational capability within the armed forces.

By completing one of the Army's most demanding combat training programs, Lieutenant Deeksha Tripathi has not only set a historic precedent but also reinforced the resilience, professionalism, and dedication emblematic of the Indian Army.