Meet Lieutenant Pragati Thakur: OTA Gold Medallist and Best Artillery Young Officer

In the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, a determined young woman from a modest village has rapidly emerged as one of the most promising officers in the Indian Army. Lieutenant Pragati Thakur’s journey — from the quiet lanes of Kahdog village in Arki to earning the OTA Gold Medal and the Silver Gun as the Best Artillery Young Officer — stands as a powerful testament to discipline, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Roots in the Himalayas

Lieutenant Pragati Thakur was born and raised in Kahdog village, Arki tehsil, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. She grew up in a household that deeply valued service to the nation. Her father, Honorary Captain Balak Ram (retired), served in the Indian Army and instilled in her the values of discipline, integrity, and selfless service from an early age. Her mother, Meena Thakur, provided steadfast support.

A meritorious student since childhood, Pragati completed her 12th standard from Central School Jatog and graduated from Sanjuali College, Shimla. Her formative years were shaped by the rugged terrain and resilient spirit of Himachal, qualities that would later define her military career. She was an active NCC cadet, an experience that strengthened her resolve to serve in the armed forces.

The Making of an Officer

Driven by a clear sense of purpose, Lieutenant Thakur appeared for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination. Her success in clearing both the written examination and the demanding Services Selection Board (SSB) interview paved the way for her entry into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

At OTA, she quickly distinguished herself. She was appointed Academy Under Officer (AUO) — the highest leadership appointment available to a cadet. This role demanded exceptional organisational ability, moral courage, and the capacity to lead by example. Her tenure as AUO reflected the qualities the Indian Army seeks in its future leaders.

Shining Bright at OTA Chennai

Lieutenant Thakur’s time at OTA was marked by consistent excellence across multiple domains.

On 5 January 2025, while serving as Academy Under Officer, she secured second position in the 10 km (female) category at the Chennai Marathon 2025, clocking an impressive 45 minutes 37 seconds. Her participation, along with several other OTA cadets and officers, underscored the academy’s emphasis on physical robustness alongside professional training.

The pinnacle of her OTA journey came during the Passing Out Parade on 8 March 2025. The parade, reviewed by Lieutenant General Johnson P. Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, witnessed 157 Indian cadets — including 24 women — and 12 foreign cadets being commissioned into the Army.

In a moment of historic significance coinciding with International Women’s Day, two women officers received the highest honours of the course. Lieutenant Pragati Thakur was awarded the prestigious OTA Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. Lieutenant Manya M Kumar from Kochi received the Sword of Honour as the overall best all-round cadet, along with a silver medal.

This rare double achievement by women officers on the same day highlighted the growing strength and capability of women in the Indian Army’s officer cadre.

Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery

Upon commissioning as a Lieutenant, Pragati Thakur was allocated to the combat support arm of the Regiment of Artillery. She was posted to the 332 Artillery Regiment, beginning her journey in one of the most technically demanding and operationally vital branches of the Indian Army.

Excelling in Professional Training: Young Officers Course

Following her commissioning, Lieutenant Thakur underwent the rigorous 24-week Young Officers (YO) Course at the School of Artillery, Devlali. The course is designed to transform newly commissioned officers into proficient Gun Position Officers (GPOs) capable of delivering accurate and timely firepower in support of operations. It covers advanced technical and tactical aspects, fire discipline, tactical deployment, and leadership under operational conditions. Officers from friendly foreign countries also participate, adding an international dimension to the training.

The course concluded on 8 June 2026. In the culmination ceremony presided over by Lieutenant General N.S. Sarna, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Commandant, School of Artillery, Lieutenant Pragati Thakur and Lieutenant M Muthu Raman were jointly adjudged First in the Order of Merit.

In a further recognition of her outstanding performance, Lieutenant Thakur was awarded the Silver Gun — the trophy for the Best Artillery Young Officer. This rare honour reflects her exceptional professional competence, dedication, and mastery of artillery skills in a highly competitive environment.

Pride of Arki and Himachal Pradesh

Lieutenant Pragati Thakur’s achievements have brought immense pride to her village and the state of Himachal Pradesh. Upon her commissioning, the local community in Arki organised a warm reception, celebrating her success with traditional Nati dance performances. Her story has become a source of inspiration for young girls across the hill state, proving that with determination and hard work, even those from small villages can reach the highest echelons of the armed forces.

An Inspiration for Defence Aspirants

Lieutenant Pragati Thakur’s journey offers valuable lessons for every defence aspirant:

• Leadership through responsibility: Her appointment as Academy Under Officer demonstrates that true leadership is earned through consistent performance and the trust of peers and instructors.
• Physical fitness as a foundation: Her strong showing in the Chennai Marathon highlights the critical importance of physical endurance in military life.
• Professional mastery: Topping the demanding Young Officers Course and earning the Silver Gun shows that excellence in technical and tactical domains is achievable through focused effort.
• Roots and values: Coming from a veteran family and crediting her parents, teachers, and extended family, she embodies the Indian Army’s ethos of humility alongside achievement.

At a time when the Indian Army is increasingly recognising and empowering women officers across combat and combat support arms, Lieutenant Pragati Thakur stands as a shining example of what is possible when opportunity meets preparation and perseverance.

Her story is still unfolding. With her proven track record of excellence at every stage of training, Lieutenant Pragati Thakur is poised to make significant contributions to the Regiment of Artillery and the Indian Army in the years ahead.