Not many 20-somethings can say they’ve worn a crown on stage and a uniform on parade grounds — but for Pune girl Kashish Methwani, both worlds came calling. On 6 September 2025, Kashish stood tall as she was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Army Air Defence, the first woman officer in her family. It was a moment that blended pride, grit, and an unshakable sense of purpose.
Kashish’s story begins in the corridors of Army schools, where uniforms and discipline were part of daily life. With science and service stitched into her upbringing, she quickly found her calling. As an NCC cadet, she didn’t just participate — she excelled, bagging the All India Best Cadet Trophy in 2021, presented to her by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Republic Day Parade. That handshake, she recalls in interviews, was the spark that cemented her dream of wearing olive green one day.
But her path was never one-dimensional. After completing her Biotech degree from Pune University, Kashish worked on her MSc thesis at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) — research so strong that it won her an offer for a PhD at Harvard University. Most would have stopped there, but Kashish had the rare ability to balance intellect with ambition. In 2023, she stunned the pageant world by winning the title of Miss International India. She even stepped on a TEDx stage, sharing her mantra of mindset and self-belief.
Yet, when glamour and service stood side by side, she chose the harder, nobler road. Cracking the CDS exam in 2024 with All India Rank 2, Kashish marched into the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, where she emerged as Academy Under Officer — the top rank a cadet can achieve. Whether on the shooting range, sports field, or in leadership tests, her medals spoke for her determination.
Now, in uniform, Kashish is not just an officer — she’s a symbol. A symbol that young women don’t need to pick between beauty and brains, between crowns and camouflage. Her journey proves that dreams can be many, and if you dare enough, you can live them all.
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