Indian Navy Gets Its First Woman Pilot

Shubhangi Swaroop, a native of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, has scripted history by becoming the first woman pilot in the Navy. The first batch of female officers passed out from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kannur, on Wednesday (Nov 22).

"I know, this is not just an exciting opportunity but a great responsibility also," Shubhangi told TOI. She will undergo pilot training at the Dundigal Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

“I will live up to the expectations of all and inspire more women officers to come to the Navy as pilots,” - Shubhangi Swaroop

Also: Indian Navy to allow women onboard warships

Family background

She has a younger brother, Shubham Swaroop, who is pursuing BSc Economics at the University of London international programme. Her mother, Kalpana Swaroop, is a secondary school teacher at Navy Children School, Visakhapatnam. Her father Gyan Swaroop is a serving Naval officer.

The father told Deccan Chronicle that his daughter was passionate about becoming a Navy pilot since childhood.

“After competing her BTech in biotechnology, she was eager to join the defence forces,” he said. She also showed great inclination towards adventure sports since childhood.

Also: Indian Army Ready to Have Women in Combat Positions

“A national gold medallist in taekwondo and a passionate diver, she always dreamt of becoming part of the defence forces,” he added.

Aastha Segal, Roopa A and Sakthimaya S have been inducted in the NAI branch.

#ShapingFutureNavalLeadership #POP 328 cadets of IN & ICG incl 2 International cadets (one each from Tanzania & Maldives) "Pass Out" of the hallowed portals of INA on successful completion of Training. Parade reviewed by Admiral Sunil Lanba CNS @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/dU0m2zhpAi

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 22, 2017

"More and more women are interested to join the defence forces and this achievement will be an inspiration for others too," they said.