Meet Lieutenants Divya and Digvijay Dhayal: Sibling Archers Turned Army Officers

In a heartwarming and inspiring moment for the nation, siblings Divya and Digvijay Dhayal have both donned the olive green uniform, commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army. More than a personal achievement, their commissioning is a continuation of a legacy of service and sacrifice, honouring their family’s unwavering commitment to the nation.

The children of Colonel Vikram Singh Dhayal, a serving Army officer, the Dhayal twins have not just followed in their father’s footsteps they’ve sprinted ahead, setting their own remarkable milestones along the way.

From Archers to Officers: The Making of Champions

The Dhayals’ journey began not in drill squares, but on the archery field. Both Divya and Digvijay trained under their father at the Army Sports Institute, honing the precision, discipline, and mental strength that would later prove vital in their journey to the Indian Army.

Divya, the elder by commissioning date, was a national archery champion at just 15 and went on to represent India in global competitions such as the World Archery Youth Championship, Archery World Cup, and Asia Cup.

Also Read: Divya Dhayal CDS 2 2021 Topper OTA Women AIR-2

Divya Dhayal: CDS Topper and Trailblazer

Commissioned into the Indian Army in September 2023, Lieutenant Divya Dhayal is not just a champion athlete she’s also a CDS topper, securing All India Rank 2 in the UPSC CDS 2 2021 examination for OTA Women.

In her own words shared with SSBCrack, she cracked the SSB in her first attempt at Bhopal, driven by years of preparation not just for exams, but in life.

“SSB is not about preparation for a day or a month it’s a preparation through a lifetime,” she said. “I didn’t prepare deliberately for the AIR. I just wanted to get into the merit list.”

Her sports background gave her strong mental resilience and physical stamina, while her planning, time management, and daily routines juggling college, archery, and SSB prep reflected unmatched dedication.

She credits her success to:

• Smart planning over rote hard work
• Self-introspection
• Current affairs prep via SSBCrackExams
• Family support, especially mock interviews with her mother

“Even though I’m an international athlete, it was my preparation, not achievements, that mattered in SSB,” she added.

Digvijay Dhayal: Following the Path With Honour

Lieutenant Digvijay Dhayal followed suit, getting commissioned on June 14, 2025, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Like his sister, he too is an accomplished archer, having won medals at international events like the Asia Cup.

What stands out is the mutual admiration and humility between the siblings.

“I like that she is my senior. We are twins… I will always be proud to salute her,” Digvijay remarked with pride.

A Family of Warriors: The Dhayal Legacy

The Dhayal family's tryst with valour doesn’t begin or end with these twins. Their uncle, Captain Anil Dhayal, was martyred in Kashmir in 1998, an incident that deeply impacted the family and sowed the seeds of service in the siblings' hearts.

What we see today in Divya and Digvijay is a culmination of a legacy built on courage, loss, patriotism, and the will to rise.

Inspiration for a Generation

Their story is not just about medals, marks, or merit it’s about mindset. It's about dreaming big, staying grounded, and serving with pride.

They’ve moved from being champions of archery to guardians of the nation, setting an example for thousands of young Indians who wish to serve their country.

 

Shooting for Glory, Marching for India

The story of Lieutenants Divya and Digvijay Dhayal is not just motivational it’s monumental. It teaches us that true success is built on values, vision, and virtue. As they march forward in service of the nation, they carry with them not just stars on their shoulders, but the hopes of a country that salutes its brave.

To serve the nation is noble, but to do it as a family generation after generation is legacy.