Lieutenant Pragati Thakur Honored as Best Artillery Young Officer and OTA Gold Medalist
Lieutenant Pragati Thakur, an officer in the Indian Army hailing from Himachal Pradesh, has achieved yet another notable milestone in her burgeoning career. Following her receipt of the prestigious OTA Gold Medal at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, she has now been honored with the Silver Gun for being named the Best Artillery Young Officer at the School of Artillery.
Her ascent from Kahdog village in Solan district's Arki tehsil to becoming a distinguished young officer in the Regiment of Artillery is a testament to her discipline, dedication, and professional excellence.
Pragati Thakur's ties to the armed forces run deep, with her father, Honorary Captain Balak Ram, being a retired Indian Army veteran, and her mother, Meena Thakur, serving as a steadfast supporter throughout her journey. Raised in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, she was instilled with the values of hard work, simplicity, and national service.
She completed her schooling at Central School Jatog and subsequently graduated from Sanjauli College in Shimla. A diligent student from the outset, she was also an active participant in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which provided her early exposure to military life, discipline, and leadership, reinforcing her aspiration to join the Indian Army.
With a clear goal, Pragati Thakur took the Combined Defence Services Examination and successfully passed the Services Selection Board interview, which led her to join the Officers Training Academy in Chennai for pre-commission training under the Short Service Commission entry.
At OTA Chennai, she quickly distinguished herself among her peers, earning the appointment of Academy Under Officer, the senior-most role for officer cadets, acknowledging her leadership, discipline, and responsibility.
Her achievements were not confined to academics and military training. On January 5, 2025, while serving as Academy Under Officer, she achieved second place in the 10 km women's category at the Chennai Marathon 2025 with a time of 45 minutes and 37 seconds, showcasing her physical fitness and competitive nature.
The pinnacle of her OTA journey was the Passing Out Parade in March 2025, where Lieutenant Pragati Thakur was awarded the OTA Gold Medal for ranking first in the overall order of merit. The parade was overseen by Lieutenant General Johnson P. Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.
The Passing Out Parade was noteworthy as it coincided with International Women's Day, seeing two women officers receive top honors. Lieutenant Pragati Thakur earned the Gold Medal, while Lieutenant Manya M Kumar from Kochi secured the Sword of Honour and Silver Medal, illustrating the increasing prominence and achievements of women officers in the Indian Army.
Following her commissioning as a Lieutenant, Pragati Thakur joined the Regiment of Artillery and was posted to the 332 Artillery Regiment. This regiment is a vital combat support arm of the Indian Army, demanding officers with technical expertise, tactical understanding, and leadership acumen.
After her commissioning, she attended the Young Officers Course at the School of Artillery, Devlali. This 24-week program aims to train young artillery officers in the technical and tactical aspects of gun operations, preparing them to function effectively as Gun Position Officers in military operations.
The course encompasses training in fire discipline, gun position duties, artillery resource deployment, operational coordination, and battlefield firepower application. Officers from friendly foreign nations also participate, making it a competitive and internationally recognized training program.
The Young Officers Course concluded on June 8, 2026, with Lieutenant General N.S. Sarna, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Commandant of the School of Artillery, felicitating the award recipients.
Lieutenant Pragati Thakur, alongside Lieutenant M Muthu Raman, was jointly ranked First in Order of Merit. Furthermore, she was awarded the Silver Gun for being recognized as the Best Artillery Young Officer, a testament to her professional competence and exemplary performance during the course.
Securing both the OTA Gold Medal and the Silver Gun at the School of Artillery is a rare and remarkable feat for a young officer. This achievement highlights her consistency, discipline, and proficiency in different phases of military training.
Her success has been a source of immense pride for her family, village, and the state of Himachal Pradesh. Post-commissioning, she was warmly celebrated in her hometown of Arki, where the local community honored her accomplishments with traditional cultural performances, including the Nati dance.
Lieutenant Pragati Thakur's story serves as an inspiration for young defense aspirants from rural areas, demonstrating that one's background does not limit them when pursued with hard work, discipline, and determination.
Her achievements underscore the rising excellence of women officers in the Indian Army. From excelling at OTA Chennai to demonstrating her professional capabilities in artillery training, she has shown that women officers are making significant contributions across challenging military roles.
Her journey offers valuable lessons for defense aspirants, showcasing leadership as Academy Under Officer, physical endurance at the Chennai Marathon, academic and military excellence by topping OTA, and professional mastery by earning the Silver Gun at the School of Artillery.
Lieutenant Pragati Thakur's career in the Indian Army is just beginning, yet her early accomplishments already establish her as a role model for numerous young Indians. As she continues her service in the Regiment of Artillery, she embodies dedication, humility, and excellence.
From Kahdog village in Himachal Pradesh to the parade grounds of OTA Chennai and the training fields of the School of Artillery, Lieutenant Pragati Thakur's journey is a proud reminder that determination, discipline, and service are the strongest foundations for success in uniform.
