At an age when most children are still trying to understand the world, Shiva Chauhan faced a personal loss that could have changed everything. Instead, it quietly shaped the direction of her life.
Years later, that moment would come to define a journey built on discipline, resilience, and a clear sense of purpose, one that eventually led her to the highest battlefield in the world.
She grew up with a simple but determined goal: to serve the nation. With her mother standing firmly by her side and her elder sister offering constant encouragement, she stayed focused, even when the path ahead was uncertain.
The Road to the Indian Army
A Civil Engineering graduate from Udaipur, Shiva began preparing for the Short Service Commission with clarity and intent. Her effort showed in her results she secured All India Rank 1 in the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, a rare and significant achievement.
After completing her training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, she was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 2021 entering a role that demands both technical precision and mental strength.
Pushing Limits Beyond Boundaries
Her journey didn’t settle into routine after commissioning. In Ladakh, she continued to test her limits leading the 508 km Sura Soi Cycling Expedition in 2022 and completing specialised training at the Army’s Siachen Battle School.
Each experience added another layer of preparation not just physically, but mentally.
Creating History at Siachen
On January 2, 2023, Captain Shiva Chauhan made history by becoming the first woman officer in the Indian Army to be operationally deployed at Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier.
At 15,632 feet, where temperatures can drop to -50°C, the conditions are unforgiving. In that environment, she handled engineering operations, maintained key infrastructure, supported logistics, and led her team day after day.
Her journey is not just about reaching Siachen but it’s about everything it took to get there. It’s about staying on course when things could have gone differently.