A remarkable chapter was added to India’s military history. Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal, a young officer from Janauri village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, was commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps after passing out from the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. What makes her achievement unique is that she is the first woman officer in a five-generation military family, a rare and proud distinction even in India’s martial tradition. Adding further glory, she was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for standing First in the Order of Merit in her course, a recognition given only to the most outstanding cadet.

A Family Rooted  in Service and Sacrifice

The Dhadwal family is no stranger to the armed forces, with their service to the Indian Army dating back over a century. It began with Subedar Harnam Singh of the 74 Punjabis, who served from January 1, 1896, to July 16, 1924, followed by Major L.S. Dhadwal, her great-grandfather, who served with 3 JAT. The third generation continued the tradition with Colonel Daljit Singh Dhadwal of 7 JAK Rifles and Brigadier Jagat Jamwal of 3 Kumaon. The legacy was carried forward by Major General K.S. Dhadwal, SM, VSM, who has commanded the 27 Mountain Division and continues to serve with distinction as part of the fourth generation. In the fifth generation, Captain Dhananjay Dhadwal serves in 20 Sikh alongside his father, while Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal has created history as the family’s first woman officer. This is not just a family tree but a lineage written in courage, sacrifice, and service to the nation.

Breaking Barriers: First Woman Officer in the Lineage

For generations, the Dhadwal family’s martial tradition had been carried forward by men. Lieutenant Parul has broken this pattern by stepping into the Army as the first woman officer in her family. Her entry represents both continuity and change: continuity of a proud legacy and change in the form of gender inclusivity within the armed forces. Her achievement is a symbol of the evolving role of women in the Indian military, where women are now entering combat roles, commanding units, and earning distinctions once thought out of reach. 

Standing first in the Order of Merit at OTA is no ordinary feat. The training at OTA, Chennai, is known for its rigor physically, mentally, and emotionally. From weapon handling and endurance to leadership drills and tactical exercises, cadets are tested at every stage. Lieutenant Parul’s topping her course and receiving the President’s Gold Medal highlights her unwavering dedication, discipline, and determination. It also shows that her achievement is not just about lineage; it is about her individual merit and hard work.

A Village’s Pride, A Nation’s Inspiration

Hailing from Janauri village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, Lieutenant Parul’s story resonates deeply with the region’s strong martial culture. Villages in Punjab have, for centuries, produced soldiers who guard India’s frontiers. Parul’s achievement adds a modern dimension to this tradition: a daughter stepping forward to wear the army uniform. Her success is not just the pride of one family but of her entire village, district, and state. For young girls in Punjab and across India, her journey is an inspiration that dreams know no gender. India has seen many second- and third-generation officers, but fourth- and fifth-generation officers are rare. Families that maintain such a long chain of service embody values of loyalty, courage, and patriotism that few can match. With Parul’s commissioning, the Dhadwal family enters the annals of military history as one of the rare families to have produced officers in five consecutive generations, each generation carrying forward the torch of duty.

The Passing-Out Parade: A Day to Remember

The passing-out parade at OTA was reviewed by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who reminded the young officers that the battlefield of the future will be complex and ever-changing. He urged them to embrace continuous learning and teamwork, highlighting that true strength lies in both individual excellence and collective cohesion. Alongside Parul, 155 officer cadets, including 25 women, were commissioned into the Indian Army as Lieutenants. Twenty-one cadets from friendly foreign countries also completed their training, underlining India’s role in fostering global military cooperation. Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal’s commissioning marks a moment where legacy meets modernity. She has not only carried forward a proud military heritage but also broken new ground by becoming its first woman representative.