Meet Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi: 1st Woman Officer to Become ADC to a Governor in India

In a landmark development within the Indian Armed Forces, Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi has emerged as the first woman officer to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to a State Governor. This historic milestone, achieved in November 2023, underscores her distinguished service and the progressive inclusion of women in pivotal leadership and protocol roles across the nation’s defence establishment.

Early Life and Educational Background

Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi hails from Berhampur (Brahmapur) in Ganjam district, Odisha. She was raised in a family with strong military traditions, which profoundly influenced her career aspirations. Her father, Manoranjan Padhi, served as an Honorary Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force and retired in 2020. This second-generation connection to the armed forces instilled in her a deep sense of discipline, patriotism, and commitment to national service.

She pursued higher education at the C.V. Raman College of Engineering in Bhubaneswar, where she earned her engineering degree. Motivated to serve the nation, she successfully cleared the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and joined the Indian Air Force.

Commissioning and Distinguished Service in the Indian Air Force

Squadron Leader Padhi was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 19 December 2015 as part of the 46 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course in the Administrative Branch, with service number 35001 ADM. She specialised as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC), a role demanding precision, quick decision-making, and operational excellence.

Her career progression included the following promotions:

• Flight Lieutenant on 19 December 2017
• Squadron Leader on 19 December 2021

She served with distinction at key Air Force stations in Bidar, Pune, and Bhatinda, contributing to air traffic management, programme coordination, and operational efficiency. Her professional conduct earned her selection for the prestigious ADC assignment.

Historic Appointment as Aide-de-Camp

On 29 November 2023, Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi was formally appointed as Aide-de-Camp to Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the then Governor of Mizoram. The ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl. She was selected by the Governor from a shortlist provided by the Ministry of Defence, which included two male officers, making her the first woman officer from any branch of the Indian Armed Forces to hold this position.

The role of an ADC entails providing personal assistance to the Governor, accompanying him on official duties, state functions, and tours, while upholding the highest standards of military protocol and administrative support. Squadron Leader Padhi continued in this capacity when Governor Kambhampati was transferred to Odisha, where she participated in his swearing-in ceremony on 3 January 2025.