Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki becomes first female ADC to India's President

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki made history in May 2025 when she was named one of the President of India's five Aide-de-Camp, marking the first time a woman from the Army, Navy or Air Force has held the position. Hailing from Haryana and a former district-level badminton and volleyball player, she joined the Indian Navy in 2012 via the Short Service Commission and rose to a technical role in the Naval Armament Division in Hyderabad.

After a rigorous selection that involved direct interaction with President Droupadi Murmu and extensive security vetting, she was presented with the presidential aiguillette on 9 May 2025 for a term of roughly two and a half to three years. Her duties include managing the President’s schedule, briefing on visiting dignitaries, and accompanying her at official ceremonies. The milestone reflects a gradual shift in the Indian armed forces toward greater gender inclusion, a trend underscored by Major Navya Shekhawat’s appointment as the first Army officer to become an ADC in July 2026. Solanki’s achievement offers a tangible example for women aspiring to senior military and ceremonial roles.