From losing father at 11 to Siachen: The story of Captain Shiva Chauhan, the first woman army officer deployed at the world’s highest battlefield
Her deployment in January 2023 marked a significant turning point not only in her military career but also in the Indian Army’s increasing role for women officers in operational roles.
Childhood marked by resistance
Captain Shiva Chauhan hails from Rajasthan, where he was raised by his mother after the untimely death of his father. Despite financial difficulties, her mother ensured that both daughters continued their education, while her older sister constantly encouraged her to pursue her ambitions.
From an early age, Shiva was determined to join the armed forces. He completed his education in Udaipur before obtaining a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2020. Technical training would later prove valuable in his role as an Army engineer.
Climbed to the top of SSB with All India Rank 1
After completing his engineering degree, Captain Chauhan attended the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview under the Short Service Commission (Technical) entry.
He topped the 19th SSB Allahabad selection process in March 2020, achieving All India Rank 1. Following his success, he underwent military training at the Officer Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in May 2021.
The Corps of Engineers is responsible for critical combat engineering missions, including bridge construction, minefield clearance, infrastructure development, and operational support in difficult terrain. He was later assigned to the Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, which was responsible for protecting India’s northern borders in Ladakh.
We are preparing for the toughest battlefield
Even before his deployment at Siachen, Captain Chauhan had demonstrated remarkable physical endurance.
He completed the arduous 11-day journey by leading the 508-kilometer “Sura Soi” Siachen Sappers Cycling Expedition from Siachen War Memorial to Kargil War Memorial during the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations in July 2022.
His performance helped earn him the opportunity to undergo the Army’s rigorous Siachen Battle School training.
The month-long program included endurance training, ice wall climbing, glacier movement, avalanche and crevasse rescue drills, and the survival techniques required to work in one of the world’s most brutal environments.
Making history at Siachen Glacier
In January 2023, Capt. Shiva Chauhan was assigned to Kumar Outpost, located at an altitude of approximately 15,600 feet on the Siachen Glacier, becoming the first female Army officer to be operationally deployed on the world’s highest battlefield.
After successfully completing the specialized training required for the deployment, he served there for a three-month tour of duty.
As a Bengal Digger in the Corps of Engineers, he led a team responsible for combat engineering missions, including maintaining military infrastructure, ensuring helipad functionality, logistics management, and supporting operational requirements in extreme weather conditions.
Siachen Glacier, where temperatures can drop below minus 50 degrees Celsius, remains one of the Indian Army’s most challenging operating areas since Operation Meghdoot in 1984. Historically, more soldiers have lost their lives to avalanches, crevasses, and severe weather than to enemy action.
A turning point for women in uniform
Captain Shiva Chauhan’s appointment comes at a time when women officers are consistently breaking barriers across India’s armed forces, from fighter jets to serving on frontline warships.
Although women were still excluded from some major combat arms such as infantry, armored units, and artillery, their roles in combat support and operational missions continued to expand.
Captain Chauhan’s historic mission at Siachen stands as a symbol of the changing landscape.
Inspiration beyond the battlefield
Captain Shiva Chauhan’s journey is a story of perseverance, discipline and determination.
From losing his father at the age of 11, to topping the SSB examination with All India Rank 1, to being appointed to the Corps of Engineers, to leading a grueling 508 km military expedition and eventually serving in the Siachen Glacier, each episode reflects resilience in the face of adversity.
Today, she represents a new generation of female officers who prove that dedication and merit, not gender, define excellence in military service. His achievement continues to inspire thousands of young Indians who want to serve the nation in uniform.
