Who has become the first woman officer, hailing from Rajasthan, to be posted at the world's highest battle field, the Siachen Glacier ?

The correct answer is Capt. Shiva Chauhan.

Key Points

• Capt. Shiva Chauhan is the first woman officer from Rajasthan to be deployed at the world's highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier.
• She was posted to the Kumar Post, located at an altitude of 15,632 feet, in January 2023.
• Chauhan is an officer of the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers and was deployed after undergoing rigorous training, including endurance and ice-wall climbing.
• This historic deployment is part of the Indian Army's broader efforts to promote gender inclusivity in challenging roles and terrains.
• Her posting marks a significant milestone in breaking gender barriers in the armed forces of India.

Additional Information

• Siachen Glacier
  • Located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, it is the highest battlefield in the world.
  • The glacier is approximately 76 km long and situated at altitudes ranging from 12,000 to 22,000 feet.
  • It has been under Indian control since Operation Meghdoot in 1984.
• Indian Army Corps of Engineers
  • The Corps of Engineers is responsible for combat engineering, infrastructure development, and disaster response in the Indian Army.
  • It plays a crucial role in maintaining operational readiness in extreme terrains like the Siachen Glacier.
• Women in the Indian Armed Forces
  • Women were first inducted into the Indian Armed Forces in 1992 in non-combat roles.
  • In recent years, the Indian military has taken progressive steps to allow women in combat and leadership roles.
  • Landmark cases like the Supreme Court judgment of 2020 granted permanent commission to women officers in the Army.
• Operation Meghdoot
  • An operation launched by India in 1984 to secure strategic positions on the Siachen Glacier.
  • It was one of the first military operations of its kind conducted at such high altitudes.