Meet Shweta K Sugathan, Leading Delhi Police Women Marchers On R-Day

For the first time in India's Republic Day parade history, the Delhi Police contingent will have all women officers. The marchers will be led by Indian Police Services officer Shweta K Sugathan, who is the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-II, North District. The 75th Republic Day will be a historic moment for the female officers in Delhi Police, as they pridefully take the Kartavya Path, advancing along to Sugathan's command. 

194 women officers of Delhi Police are set to march on the Kartavya Path on January 26, 2024. According to reports, 80% of participants in the Republic Day parade this year belong to northeastern States. An officer told Money Control that the Delhi Police has a policy to recruit officers from the eight northeastern states to "bridge the gap" for their inclusivity.

Shweta K Sugathan Brings Glory To The Nation

Sugathan led the Delhi Police contingent (comprising male and female officers) in last year's Republic Day contingent as well, making history as the first woman in 48 years to do so. She is the first female IPS officer after Kiran Bedi to become a female commander of the Delhi Police contingent. 

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The Delhi Police marched on the Kartavya Path, earlier known as the Rajpath, for the first time in 1955. In 1975, Kiran Bedi took the helm as the first woman to command the pack and then came Sugathan's turn almost five decades later, leading 144 soldiers. Since 1955, Delhi Police has received the Best Marching Contingent award 40 times in the 26th January parade.

Who Is Shweta K Sugathan?

Shweta K Sugathan was appointed as the Additional DCP-II North District of Delhi Police in October last year. Before that, she was the Assistant Commissioner of Police, in Chanakyapuri. Sugathan is a native of Kerala and belongs to the 2019 AGMUT Cadre of the Indian Police Services.

Before undertaking the IPS exam, Sugathan pursued a Bachelor's in Tech degree in 2015. She told Navbharat Times that she first came to Delhi on a college tour and then came back in 2019 for her Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. She became an IPS Officer in 2019 and was appointed as the ACP Chanakyapuri then.