Meet Lieutenant Colonel Ankita Choudhary: Paratrooper, Record Holder, and Pride of the Indian Army

Lieutenant Colonel Ankita Choudhary is a distinguished officer of the Corps of Signals in the Indian Army. A qualified paratrooper, high-altitude mountaineer, and Limca Book of Records holder, she represents courage, determination, and excellence in one of the most demanding professions in the world. Commissioned in 2013 through the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, under the Short Service Commission, she has steadily risen through the ranks and today serves as a Lieutenant Colonel. Her inspiring journey continues to motivate countless young women aspiring to join the armed forces.

Born in Gokulpura village in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, Ankita Choudhary grew up in an environment that deeply respected the Indian Army. During the Kargil War in 1999, her school was located along the Bikaner–Jaipur highway, where she frequently saw Army convoys passing by. These scenes left a lasting impression on her young mind. She also observed local residents offering food and support to the soldiers. Curious about the respect shown to these uniformed men, she once asked her father, Rajendra Khichar, who they were. His response that soldiers were the people the nation could always rely upon strengthened her admiration for the armed forces. Inspired by her grandfather Sitaram Khichar and the pride associated with military service, she decided at a young age that she too wanted to wear the uniform.

Determined to achieve her goal, she worked hard and eventually earned a commission in the Indian Army after completing rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. Commissioned in 2013, she began her career in the Corps of Signals, a vital arm of the Army responsible for communication and information systems. Over the years she has completed more than a decade of dedicated service, growing professionally through operational assignments and leadership responsibilities.

Apart from her core duties in the Signals branch, Ankita Choudhary has distinguished herself through a wide range of specialized skills. She qualified as a paratrooper, a demanding role that requires exceptional physical fitness, mental toughness, and precision. Her training also includes paragliding, advanced mountaineering, and scuba diving, enabling her to operate confidently in diverse and challenging environments.

One of the most remarkable highlights of her career came in August 2018 when she led a team of nine women officers to perform yoga at an altitude of 19,022 feet on Mount Bhagirathi II in Uttarakhand. The expedition followed 45 days of rigorous training in the Siachen region. Despite extreme weather conditions and temperatures around minus fifteen degrees Celsius, the team successfully performed yoga postures including Suryasana and Veerbhadrasana at the summit. This extraordinary achievement earned a place in the Limca Book of Records, surpassing the previous high-altitude yoga record set in Siachen and marking the first documented high-altitude yoga performance by an all-women Army team.

Beyond her operational achievements, Lieutenant Colonel Ankita Choudhary has also emerged as a motivational voice for women aspiring to serve in the armed forces. During International Women’s Day events and public interactions, she has often spoken about resilience, self-belief, and perseverance. She has emphasized that challenges exist in every profession, including the Army, but what matters is the determination to keep moving forward. According to her, success comes from striving to become the best version of oneself rather than comparing with others.

She has consistently highlighted that opportunities in the Indian Army are based on capability and dedication rather than gender. Her experiences demonstrate that women officers can perform at par with their male counterparts across a wide range of demanding roles. Her message to young women is simple yet powerful: recognize your potential, build confidence in your abilities, and never hesitate to pursue your dreams.

Today, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Corps of Signals, she continues to contribute to the Indian Army through leadership, operational expertise, and mentorship. Her journey from a small village in Rajasthan to the ranks of the Indian Army reflects dedication, discipline, and a deep commitment to serving the nation. Lieutenant Colonel Ankita Choudhary stands as a powerful example of determination and courage, inspiring thousands of defence aspirants preparing for the Services Selection Board and other military careers.