First woman Naval commanding officer: India focuses on gender inclusivity with 1000 women Agniveers

In a historic first, the Indian Navy has appointed its first-ever woman commanding officer. Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Navy Chief, confirmed this groundbreaking development during a conference in New Delhi on Friday, December 1.

"We have also appointed the first woman commanding officer of an Indian naval ship. It has been our effort to constantly challenge the status quo to ensure that the navy remains on an aspirational and dynamic trajectory into the future," said Admiral Kumar.

Reports indicate that the officer is presently undergoing pre-commission training on the Western Seaboard, preparing to helm a fast attack craft.

Strides in gender inclusivity: over 1,000 women integrated

Speaking of strides made in gender inclusivity, the Chief of Naval Staff revealed that over 1,000 women have been integrated into the Indian Navy under the Agnipath scheme. Highlighting the success of the Agniveer program, Admiral Kumar mentioned the graduation of the inaugural batch from INS Chilka earlier this year, which notably included 272 female trainees. Subsequently, the second batch welcomed a total of 454 women, and the most recent induction pushed the tally of female affiliates past the 1,000 mark. These figures, as stated by Admiral Kumar, underscore the Navy's commitment to deploying women across all roles and ranks, from officers to personnel below officer ranks.

Strengthening the Indian Navy: extensive presence and readiness

Reflecting on the achievements of the past year, Admiral Kumar commended the Indian Navy's exceptional performance across various domains. He stated, "Similarly, for the navy too, the last year has been remarkable. In this period, our ships, submarines, and aircraft have sustained a high operational tempo, undertaking missions and tasks encompassing military, diplomatic, and constabulary roles."

Stressing the significance of Indian naval units' extensive deployments across the Indian Ocean region and beyond, the CNS emphasized that the naval assets serve to safeguard and advance national interests.

This extensive presence, coupled with numerous sea-based exercises, has significantly strengthened the Indian Navy, maintaining a state of constant readiness, credibility, unity, and adaptability. At the core of this operational ethos lies our 'ship's first outlook,' wherein every endeavor is crafted to empower our service women and men in operational roles, ensuring their exceptional performance in fulfilling their duties.