Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka: From Panchkula Police SPO's Daughter to First Woman Topper at NDA and Indian Army Officer
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka has made a significant mark in the history of women in the Indian Armed Forces. As the top-ranked female candidate in the inaugural National Defence Academy entrance exam open to women, she completed the rigorous training from the NDA to the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army on June 13, 2026.
The 23-year-old officer achieved All India Rank 10 in the 2021 NDA examination, leading among women candidates. This achievement was particularly notable as it came after the Supreme Court's intervention in 2021, allowing women to enter the NDA.
Four years after her groundbreaking examination, Lieutenant Dhaka proudly graduated from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, signaling a journey fueled by personal determination, a family legacy in the military, and expanded opportunities for women aspiring to serve their country in uniform.
Commissioned from the Indian Military Academy
Lieutenant Dhaka was commissioned during the Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy on June 13, 2026.
The parade was reviewed by President Droupadi Murmu, marking a historic day for the Indian Army as nine women officers from the first batch of female cadets trained at the National Defence Academy were commissioned through the IMA.
These women joined the NDA in August 2022 as part of the 148th Course, completing three years of joint military training at NDA Khadakwasla before moving to the Indian Military Academy for their final pre-commission training.
Lieutenant Dhaka was among the first women to navigate the traditional NDA-to-IMA path, a route that has shaped many Indian Army officers over the years.
Her commissioning was not merely the end of four years of challenging training; it was the culmination of a journey that began with a judicial decision that opened a previously closed door to women.
The Historic NDA Examination
The NDA and Naval Academy Examination on November 14, 2021, was historic, allowing women candidates for the first time to compete for entry into the National Defence Academy.
The examination received an overwhelming response from women candidates across India, with over 1.77 lakh women among the approximately 5.75 lakh applicants.
Shanan Dhaka, on her first attempt, ranked highest among female candidates, securing All India Rank 10 in the combined merit list, becoming the first woman topper in the newly opened NDA entry.
Her performance showcased that women were ready to compete for admission to one of India’s most prestigious military institutions.
Initially, Shanan had planned to prepare for the Civil Services Examination and had enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.
However, when the opportunity to appear for the NDA examination arose, she decided to take the chance, a decision that ultimately altered the course of her life.
Focused Preparation for the NDA
Despite limited preparation time, Shanan followed a disciplined study routine for the NDA examination.
She reportedly studied for five hours daily over approximately 40 days, focusing on understanding the exam pattern and solving past papers.
Her preparation highlighted a vital lesson for defense aspirants: effective planning, consistency, and familiarity with the examination format can surpass long periods of unfocused study.
After succeeding in the written exam, she appeared before the Services Selection Board, a process testing intelligence, personality, leadership potential, psychological readiness, and group performance.
By excelling in every stage and ranking highest among women candidates, she proved that the historic opening of the NDA to women was indeed being embraced by capable and determined individuals.
A Family with Three Generations of Military Service
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka hails from Sundana village in Haryana’s Rohtak district and comes from a family with deep military roots.
Her grandfather, Chanderbhan Dhaka, served in the Indian Army and retired as a Subedar, establishing the family's military tradition.
Her father, Vijay Kumar Dhaka, also served in the Army Service Corps, retiring as a Naib Subedar before joining the Panchkula Police as a Special Police Officer.
Vijay Kumar continued his public service with the police, associated with the Police Commissioner’s establishment in Panchkula.
Shanan’s elder sister, Captain Zonun Dhaka, serves in the Military Nursing Service, and her youngest sister is growing up in an environment steeped in discipline, patriotism, and service.
Lieutenant Dhaka’s commissioning signifies a new chapter in her family's military legacy, entering the commissioned officer ranks of the Indian Army through her own merit.
Growing Up in Cantonment Areas
Due to her father’s military assignments, Shanan spent much of her childhood in cantonment areas.
She attended Army Public Schools in Roorkee, Jaipur, and Chandimandir, where she observed the daily lives of soldiers, officers, and their families.
Discipline, punctuality, physical fitness, responsibility, and respect for the uniform were everyday realities she witnessed, not just family discussions.
Her experiences shaped her understanding of military life, viewing the Army not just as an employer but as a national institution centered around duty, teamwork, and sacrifice.
Her family encouraged her to pursue her ambitions, supporting her decision to leave her Civil Services plan and attempt the NDA examination.
Academic Excellence Before the NDA
Shanan Dhaka demonstrated academic prowess throughout her schooling.
She attended Army Public Schools and later joined Lady Shri Ram College for Women, intending to prepare for the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Examination.
Her academic discipline provided a strong foundation when the NDA opportunity arose, enabling her to adapt quickly to the examination's demands.
Her story underscores the importance of openness to new opportunities, showing that career paths chosen at one stage need not be permanent when more meaningful options become available.
For Shanan, the Supreme Court's decision paved the way for a pathway not available when she first planned her future.
Rigorous Training at the National Defence Academy
Shanan joined the National Defence Academy in August 2022 as part of the 148th Course.
The inclusion of women required the academy to adapt to a historic change while maintaining its rigorous standards, with women cadets undergoing military, academic, and physical training alongside male counterparts.
Life at the NDA involved early morning physical training, drills, classroom instruction, outdoor exercises, sports, camps, military subjects, and leadership development.
Cadets were trained to function under pressure, manage time, and prioritize team objectives over personal comfort, developing endurance, courage, discipline, and decision-making abilities.
As part of the first group, these cadets carried a unique responsibility, influencing future perceptions of women’s inclusion in the academy.
Shanan and her coursemates met established standards while adapting to the academy's evolving environment.
The first group of 17 women cadets from the 148th NDA Course graduated on May 30, 2025, moving to their respective service academies for specialized pre-commission training.
Final Training at the Indian Military Academy
After graduating from the NDA, Shanan proceeded to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
The IMA phase focused on preparing her for leadership as an Indian Army officer, with training covering field exercises, weapon handling, tactics, physical conditioning, military administration, leadership tasks, and troop command responsibilities.
The shift from NDA cadet to IMA officer cadet involved increased professional responsibility, culminating in leading soldiers and making strategic decisions.
Lieutenant Dhaka noted that the training environment remained professional, with women cadets meeting the same standards as their male counterparts, ready to serve wherever needed.
Crossing the Antim Pag at the Indian Military Academy on June 13, 2026, she completed one of the nation's most challenging officer-training programs.
First Posting in Arunachal Pradesh
Following her commissioning, Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka is set to begin her Army career with her first posting in Arunachal Pradesh.
This northeastern state features strategically significant and challenging terrain, requiring officers to adapt to harsh weather, isolated locations, operational duties, and leading troops without typical urban conveniences.
Lieutenant Dhaka expressed her readiness to approach the assignment without preconceived notions, prepared to tackle any challenges.
The posting represents the start of her professional military career, where her entrance exam and training achievements will now be measured by her leadership capabilities, competence, and field service.
Honoured by Panchkula Police
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka was honored at the Police Commissioner’s Office in Panchkula following her commissioning.
Police Commissioner Pankaj Nain congratulated her and wished her well in her Army career, while Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta presented her with a certificate of appreciation.
The ceremony was especially significant as her father serves as an SPO with the Panchkula Police, making her commissioning a proud moment for the Dhaka family and the police establishment.
Lieutenant Dhaka was pleased to see her father honored during the ceremony, crediting her parents for supporting her and her sisters' aspirations.
An Inspiration for Young Women
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka’s story is particularly inspiring for girls from villages, small towns, and military families aspiring to join the Armed Forces.
Prior to 2021, women could enter the Armed Forces through graduate-level officer entries, but the NDA route post-school was not an option. The opening of the academy allowed women to receive military training earlier and compete for permanent commissions alongside male counterparts.
Shanan became the first woman to lead the female merit list in that historic entrance examination, completing every stage necessary to translate that selection into a commission.
Her journey demonstrates that institutional reform results in meaningful change when combined with individual preparedness and determination.
She encourages young women to believe no profession is beyond their reach, emphasizing that military service should be pursued with genuine commitment, not merely for rank or authority.
Carrying Forward a Proud Legacy
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka joined the Indian Army with both a legacy and a distinct identity.
Her grandfather was a Subedar, her father a Naib Subedar turned police officer, and her elder sister an officer in the Military Nursing Service. Shanan made history by leading the first women’s NDA merit list and completing the NDA-IMA training path.
Her achievement connects three generations of service while highlighting the evolving face of the Indian Armed Forces.
From preparing for the Civil Services Examination at Lady Shri Ram College to standing on the Indian Military Academy parade ground, her journey changed as she seized an opportunity and had the courage to pursue it.
Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka’s journey is not only about a police SPO’s daughter becoming an Army officer. It is about a young woman who walked through a newly opened door, endured four years of rigorous military training, and emerged ready to lead soldiers in service to the nation.
As she embarks on her first operational assignment, she carries the pride of her family, her village, Haryana, and a generation of women who now see the National Defence Academy as an equal opportunity for them to pursue.
