Two Sisters, One Dream: Astha and Akanksha Become Indian Navy Officers

In a deeply inspiring story of determination, discipline and family pride, two sisters from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have created a memorable milestone by donning the prestigious white uniform of the Indian Navy in consecutive years. Sub Lieutenant Astha Tyagi and Sub Lieutenant Akanksha Tyagi, daughters of Advocate Sushma Tyagi and a senior CISF officer, have shown that with the right values, perseverance and courage, dreams can be transformed into reality.

The proud moment became even more special when younger sister SLt Akanksha Tyagi passed out from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, following the footsteps of her elder sister SLt Astha Tyagi, who had passed out from the same academy in May last year. For the family, it was not merely a personal achievement, but a moment of immense honour as both daughters became the first members of their family to join the Armed Forces.

Their journey is a shining example of how strong upbringing, academic excellence, sporting spirit and NCC exposure can shape young minds into confident leaders. Raised in an environment where they were encouraged to balance academics with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, both sisters developed discipline, confidence and a strong sense of service from an early age.

SLt Astha Tyagi completed her schooling from DAV Public School, Sreshtha Vihar, Delhi. She later pursued BA LLB from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies and went on to clear CLAT PG. She completed her post-graduation in Constitutional Law from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala. Her academic background in law eventually became the foundation for her entry into the Indian Navy’s JAG Cadre.

Astha’s NCC journey played a defining role in shaping her personality. She attended several camps, including OTA Attachment Camp and Combined Annual Training Camp. Her biggest NCC milestone came when she participated in the Republic Day Camp in 2018, where she was adjudged Best Cadet SW Army from the Delhi Directorate. She later represented India in the Youth Exchange Programme in Russia in 2018, an achievement that reflected her leadership, confidence and commitment.

She also earned the NCC C Certificate with A Grade from the Delhi Directorate. Beyond NCC, Astha remained active in NSS and was also part of her university’s women’s football team. Her sporting journey began during school days, where she participated in badminton, basketball, athletics, handball, tchoukball and other games. She represented Delhi at the School Games Federation of India Nationals, Senior and Junior Nationals, and various state and zonal-level competitions.

Her path to the uniform was not easy, but it was extraordinary. SLt Astha Tyagi gave seven SSB attempts and received seven recommendations in various SSBs of the Navy and Army. She also secured All India Rank 4 in the Army JAG Entry. However, her heart was drawn to the whites of the Indian Navy, and she chose to join the service through the JAG Cadre.

Her journey soon became the motivation for her younger sister, SLt Akanksha Tyagi, who decided to follow the same path of service and discipline. Inspired by her elder sister’s perseverance and success, Akanksha joined the Indian Navy in the Naval Armament Inspector Cadre, carrying forward the family’s proud association with the Armed Forces.

SLt Akanksha Tyagi also completed her schooling from DAV Public School, Sreshtha Vihar, Delhi. She pursued B Tech in Computer Science with specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, reflecting her strong academic inclination towards technology and modern innovation. Her selection into the Naval Armament Inspector Cadre stands as a fine example of how technical education and military service can come together in the modern Indian Navy.

Like her elder sister, Akanksha also had a remarkable NCC background. She attended various camps, including CATC and Pre-RDC, and successfully earned her NCC C Certificate with A Grade. Her NCC exposure strengthened her confidence, leadership qualities and desire to serve the nation in uniform.

Akanksha’s sporting journey has also been equally inspiring. She had a strong inclination towards sports from a young age and pursued badminton with focus and determination. Her dedication helped her secure a gold medal in badminton. She also played at the SGFI Nationals and Junior Nationals in tchoukball, proving her ability to compete with discipline, resilience and team spirit.

Behind the success of the two sisters stands a family that believed in empowerment, courage and equal opportunity. Their mother, Sushma Tyagi, has been practising as an Advocate in the Delhi High Court for the last 25 years and is also a qualified international mediator. She herself was an NCC cadet, attended the Republic Day Camp, earned the NCC C Certificate with A Grade, and was also a national-level netball player and state-level cricket player. She was also actively associated with NSS.

Their father, a Senior Commandant in the Central Industrial Security Force, has also had a distinguished career in uniform. He has served in the National Security Guard and is a decorated officer, having received the President’s Award and DG Disc for his contributions. With such a strong environment of discipline, public service and national commitment at home, both daughters were naturally inspired to pursue excellence.

The Tyagi family hails from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Though Astha and Akanksha are the first in their entire family to join the Armed Forces, the values of service, discipline and patriotism were deeply rooted in their upbringing. Their parents ensured that both daughters were encouraged to explore every field, whether academics, sports, NCC, NSS or leadership activities.

What makes their story especially motivational is the bond between the two sisters. Astha’s relentless SSB journey, repeated recommendations and final decision to join the Indian Navy became a guiding light for Akanksha. The elder sister’s success did not remain an individual achievement; it became an inspiration within the family, motivating the younger sister to dream bigger and work harder.

Today, as both sisters wear the white uniform of the Indian Navy, their story stands as a powerful message for young defence aspirants, especially girls across the country. It shows that the journey to the uniform is built not in a single day, but through years of discipline, failures, attempts, camps, competitions, studies and unwavering belief.

Their achievements also highlight the importance of NCC in shaping future officers. From Republic Day Camp to C Certificate, from Youth Exchange Programme to Pre-RDC, from sports grounds to SSB interview boards, both sisters carried the values of teamwork, courage and leadership at every stage.

For their mother, watching both daughters don the whites consecutively is a moment of immense pride. For their father, who has spent his own career serving the nation in uniform, it is a continuation of the family’s commitment to national service. For countless young aspirants, their story is a reminder that dreams backed by hard work can become history.

SLt Astha Tyagi and SLt Akanksha Tyagi’s journey is not just a story of two sisters joining the Indian Navy. It is a story of a family that believed in daughters, a mother who empowered them, a father who inspired them through service, and two young women who proved that courage and commitment can take you from school grounds and NCC camps to the proud decks of the Indian Navy.

Their journey from NCC cadets to naval officers will continue to inspire many young Indians to believe in themselves, face every challenge with determination and serve the nation with pride.