Meet Captain Shivani Sehrawat: 1st Woman Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Army Staff

In a landmark development for the Indian Army, Captain Shivani Sehrawat has created history by becoming the first woman officer to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). She assumed this prestigious responsibility in mid-July 2026 and currently serves under General Dhiraj Seth, the 31st Chief of the Army Staff.

This appointment marks a significant milestone in the Army’s ongoing journey towards greater gender inclusivity and the expansion of leadership opportunities for women officers, while reaffirming the institution’s core emphasis on merit, professionalism, and excellence.

The Historic Appointment

Captain Shivani Sehrawat was selected as one of the three ADCs to the Army Chief. The role of ADC to the COAS ranks among the most distinguished and high-trust staff appointments available to officers of Captain or Major rank. Officers chosen for this position work in close proximity to the senior-most military leader of the Indian Army and are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline, organisational skill, protocol knowledge, and personal conduct.

She took charge shortly after General Dhiraj Seth assumed office as COAS on 30 June 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi. General Seth, an Armoured Corps officer, brings extensive operational and command experience, having previously served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and commanded both the Southern Command and South Western Command.

Understanding the Role of an ADC to the COAS

An Aide-de-Camp functions as a personal staff officer to a senior military commander. For the Chief of the Army Staff, the responsibilities go well beyond ceremonial duties and include critical administrative and coordination functions. Key aspects of the role typically involve:

• Coordinating the Army Chief’s official programmes, engagements, and schedules.
• Managing high-level interactions with military formations, government authorities, and visiting dignitaries.
• Accompanying the COAS during national and international commitments, military visits, and ceremonial events.
• Ensuring the seamless execution of military protocols and ceremonial requirements.
• Handling correspondence, documentation, and liaison work that supports the efficient functioning of the COAS’s office.
• Maintaining discretion, attention to detail, and operational efficiency under demanding and high-visibility conditions.

The appointment demands exceptional professional competence and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Selection is based on an exemplary service record, proven leadership qualities, and the trust required to serve in the immediate professional circle of the Army Chief.

A Milestone for Women Officers in the Indian Army

Captain Sehrawat’s appointment represents another important step in the progressive expansion of roles available to women officers. Over the years, women have moved into permanent commissions, selected command appointments, operational deployments in challenging terrains, and prestigious staff and ADC positions, including those attached to constitutional authorities.

Her selection as the first woman ADC to the COAS underscores that opportunities continue to open based on capability and merit. It sends a strong institutional signal that women officers are increasingly trusted with responsibilities that sit at the heart of the Army’s senior leadership structure.

The appointment of Captain Shivani Sehrawat as ADC to the COAS strengthens the narrative of institutional evolution within the Indian Army. It reflects a measured, capability-driven approach to inclusion rather than symbolism alone. For aspirants and serving personnel alike, it reaffirms that professional competence, discipline, and trustworthiness remain the decisive criteria for the Army’s most coveted staff roles.

In the larger context of women breaking barriers across the Armed Forces whether in combat aviation, operational postings, or senior staff appointments Captain Sehrawat’s achievement stands as a clear marker of progress. It is both a personal milestone for the officer and an institutional statement about the expanding space for women officers at the highest levels of military leadership.

Captain Shivani Sehrawat’s selection as the first woman Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Army Staff will be remembered as a defining moment in the Indian Army’s contemporary history one that combines professional excellence with meaningful institutional change.