Meet Subedar Preeti Rajak: 1st Female To Become Subedar in the Indian Army

Subedar Preeti Rajak has etched her name in the annals of the Indian Armed Forces as the first woman to attain the rank of Subedar, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) position historically dominated by men. A distinguished trap shooter who has represented India on international platforms, Rajak’s promotion on 27 January 2024 exemplifies the Indian Army’s commitment to gender inclusivity and the recognition of exceptional merit in both military service and sports. Her journey underscores the evolving role of women in the armed forces and highlights the synergy between athletic excellence and professional soldiering.

Early Life and Formative Years

Preeti Rajak was born on 6 November 2002 in Itarsi, Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, into a modest lower-middle-class family. Her father, a dry-cleaner by profession, and her mother, Jyotsna Rajak, a social worker, provided unwavering support despite limited financial resources and no prior family background in sports or the military. Rajak has an elder sister who shared her early interest in shooting, fostering a competitive yet motivating sibling dynamic.

In 2015, at approximately 13 years of age, her father recognised her aptitude for sports and enrolled her in the Madhya Pradesh Shooting Academy in Bhopal. Under the guidance of coach Indrajeet, she received foundational training in trap shooting—a technically demanding discipline that requires precision, composure, and the ability to engage fast-moving clay targets. Rajak’s early years at the academy were marked by rigorous practice, initial setbacks, and progressive success at state and sub-junior national levels. She later pursued higher education as an alumna of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), balancing academics with her sporting and eventual military commitments.

Sporting Career: From National Contender to International Medalist

Rajak specialised in trap shooting and rapidly ascended the ranks, competing successfully at junior and senior levels. Her breakthrough on the global stage came at the 19th Asian Games 2022 (held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023), where she secured a silver medal in the women’s trap team event alongside teammates Rajeshwari Kumari and Manisha Keer. This achievement marked India’s first medal in the discipline at the Asian Games and brought her national acclaim.

Her competitive portfolio includes participation in prestigious events such as the ISSF Junior World Cup (Suhl, 2022), World Shotgun Championships (Baku 2023, Changwon 2022), and multiple Shotgun World Cups in locations including Almaty, Cairo, and Doha. In August 2025, she contributed to India’s gold medal victory in the trap team event at the Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. As of the latest records, Rajak ranks sixth in the national standings for the women’s trap event. She continues intensive training at the elite Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, where state-of-the-art facilities support her preparation for future competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Induction into the Indian Army and Historic Promotion

In December 2022, Rajak joined the Indian Army’s Corps of Military Police (CMP) under the meritorious sportsperson quota, enlisting directly as a Havildar—the first woman from the shooting discipline to achieve this entry. The CMP assignment aligned seamlessly with her athletic profile, providing access to advanced training infrastructure while integrating her into the disciplined framework of military life.

Her outstanding performance, particularly the Asian Games silver medal, earned her an out-of-turn promotion. On 27 January 2024, she was elevated to the rank of Subedar in a ceremony attended by senior military officers. This milestone made her the first woman in the history of the Indian Army to hold the Subedar rank, traditionally a JCO position involving platoon leadership, mentoring of soldiers, and serving as a vital link between officers and ranks. The promotion was formally announced by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army, which described it as “an extraordinary display of Nari Shakti.”

Significance and Broader Impact

Subedar Preeti Rajak’s achievement is not merely personal but emblematic of institutional progress. Women’s induction into non-medical roles in the Indian Army has expanded significantly in recent years, with increasing representation in combat-support arms and leadership positions. The Corps of Military Police, one of the formations that began welcoming enlisted women shortly before her entry, now benefits from her dual expertise as a soldier and elite athlete. Her elevation to JCO rank opens pathways for greater responsibilities and sets a precedent for future generations of servicewomen.

Rajak’s story resonates beyond the military domain. It illustrates how talent from small-town India, supported by family determination and institutional opportunities, can overcome societal barriers. Challenges such as physical demands of recoil-heavy trap shooting, balancing military drills with training schedules, and occasional injuries have been met with resilience fostered by her family and mentors. She continues to mentor junior athletes at the AMU while fulfilling her military duties, embodying the values of discipline, focus, and excellence.

Conclusion

Subedar Preeti Rajak stands as a trailblazer whose career harmonises sporting prowess with dedicated military service. From the lanes of Itarsi to the parade grounds of the Indian Army and international shooting ranges, her trajectory inspires countless young women to pursue ambitious goals without compromise. As the first female Subedar, she not only elevates the standard for women in uniform but also reinforces the Indian Army’s progressive ethos. Her ongoing contributions to both national defence and shooting sports affirm that merit, perseverance, and opportunity can forge new frontiers in India’s journey towards inclusive excellence.