Yashasvi Solanki becomes first woman Navy officer appointed as President’s Aide-de-Camp

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki has made history by becoming the first woman officer from the Indian Navy to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India. This prestigious role marks a significant milestone in the evolving representation of women in the armed forces’ highest ceremonial positions.

The Aide-de-Camp is a personal staff officer responsible for managing communications and official coordination between the President and various government and defence establishments. The President is traditionally served by five ADCs — three from the Army and one each from the Navy and the Air Force.

Solanki’s appointment comes at a time when women are increasingly being inducted into commanding and protocol-intensive military roles. Her selection highlights the growing confidence in the leadership and capabilities of women officers in India's defence services.

This development aligns with broader reforms in defence, including the recent move to assign ADCs to service chiefs from different branches of the military. The measure, implemented in January 2025, aims to enhance jointness and pave the way for full-fledged theaterisation across India’s defence command structure.