When Colonel Sofiya Qureshi appeared on our screens to brief the nation on Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025, she wasn’t just delivering a military update — she was rewriting the narrative for women in India’s military. For many young women watching, her calm demeanour, clarity, and leadership must have been a pivotal moment. What did it mean to see a woman at the forefront of a major military operation? How did it challenge long-standing perceptions of women’s roles in defence?

What does it take to break new ground in a military family?

Colonel Qureshi’s journey is deeply rooted in a military legacy. Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, she comes from a family with a strong army background—her father and grandfather both served in the Indian Armed Forces. But even with this legacy, she was not handed a clear path.

How many women in India face the same challenge of entering fields traditionally reserved for men?

For Colonel Qureshi, being surrounded by military influence at home was just the beginning. It was her own determination and conviction that led her to the Indian Army in 1990, where she was commissioned into the Corps of Signals. While many would be discouraged by the limited roles for women at the time, she saw it as an opportunity to change the status quo.

It’s important to note that until 1992, women were inducted into the Indian Army only in non-combat roles. Today, women make up about 4.5% of the Indian Army, but even with this slow progress, the........

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