Meet Lieutenant Kashish Methwani: Who Turned Down Harvard to Join the Indian Army

In a remarkable display of resolve and national commitment, Lieutenant Kashish Methwani, the former Miss International India 2023 titleholder, has transitioned from the world of pageantry and advanced academic pursuits to serve as a commissioned officer in the Indian Army’s Air Defence Regiment. Having declined a prestigious PhD offer from Harvard University, she secured All India Rank 2 in the 2024 Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination and was commissioned on 6 September 2025 following rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

Lieutenant Methwani’s journey exemplifies the pursuit of excellence across diverse fields. Born on 9 January 2001 in Ulhasnagar, near Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Sindhi family, she was raised in Pune. She is the first woman in her family to join the armed forces. Her father, Dr. Gurmukh Das Methwani, is a scientist who held a senior position in the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), Ministry of Defence. Her mother, Shobha Methwani, serves as a teacher at Army Public School, Ghorpadi, Pune. She has an elder sister, Shagufta, who is an engineer.

Lieutenant Methwani holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She conducted her neuroscience thesis at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and received an offer to pursue a PhD at Harvard University, which she respectfully declined in favour of military service. Beyond academics, she is an accomplished national-level pistol shooter, a proficient Bharatanatyam dancer and tabla player, and an active participant in debates and sports, including basketball. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she founded the non-governmental organisation Critical Cause to raise awareness about plasma, blood, and organ donation.

Her inspiration to join the Indian Army originated from her involvement in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Air Wing. In January 2021, she participated in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi and was awarded the All India Best Cadet Trophy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This experience instilled in her a profound sense of discipline, leadership, and purpose.

In 2023, Kashish Methwani was crowned Miss International India, associated with Glamanand Supermodel India. The achievement brought numerous offers from modelling and acting agencies, yet she viewed pageantry as a personal passion rather than a long-term vocation. She has openly discussed overcoming challenges such as self-doubt and impostor syndrome while excelling in multiple domains.

In her TEDx talk titled “A change in the mindset is all you need,” delivered at TEDxXIE, she articulated her philosophy: “I wanted to be Miss India and a scientist and an officer. I didn’t want to pick one field. I wanted to go after all the fields and excel in all of them.” This mindset guided her decision to prioritise service to the nation.

In 2024, Lieutenant Methwani cleared the CDS examination with All India Rank 2 and joined OTA Chennai for 11 months of intensive training. She distinguished herself academically and in extracurricular activities, earning several prestigious honours, including the AAD Medal for commissioning into the Army Air Defence, a gold medal in the March and Shoot Competition, the Sikh Li Regiment Medal, and the highest shooting score at the academy. She also received the Drill and Discipline Badge, served as Battalion Under Officer and later as Academy Under Officer—the highest appointment at OTA—and was selected for the Rashtriya Dhwaj Toli at the pipping ceremony. She maintained a spotless record with zero punishments and excelled in basketball.

On 6 September 2025, during the Passing Out Parade at OTA Chennai, she was commissioned as Lieutenant Kashish Methwani and assigned to the Army Air Defence Regiment, a technically demanding combat arm that requires precision, skill, and courage. She is currently posted with an Air Defence unit in North India.

Lieutenant Methwani has described her commissioning as a “dream come true,” stating, “Winning a pageant was always on my bucket list. But I knew the Army was where I belonged.” She has emphasised that the uniform provides purpose beyond the recognition afforded by the crown.

Lieutenant Kashish Methwani’s story resonates widely as a powerful narrative of dedication, intellect, and service. By choosing the path of national duty over lucrative opportunities in academia and glamour, she has become a role model for young Indians, particularly women, demonstrating that it is possible to excel in multiple spheres without compromise. Her transition from beauty queen to army officer underscores the values of resilience, leadership, and patriotism that define the Indian armed forces.

As she serves in uniform, Lieutenant Methwani continues to inspire, proving that true fulfilment lies in answering the call of duty to the nation. Her journey reminds us that extraordinary individuals need not choose between dreams—they can embrace them all in service of a greater purpose.