Major Garima Yadav has made history by becoming the first woman Indian Army officer appointed as Aide-de-Camp to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow, according to reporting by Times of India — Top Stories.
Yadav formally assumed the prestigious position on September 14, 2025, marking an important milestone for women serving in the nation's armed forces. The appointment places her in a high-profile role managing official protocol, security coordination, and administrative assistance for the state's governor.
Path to the Armed Forces
Before entering military service, Yadav had pursued civil services, facing an unsuccessful attempt at the Union Public Service Commission Mains examination. Refocusing her career ambitions toward the armed forces, she achieved All India Rank 2 in the Combined Defence Services 1 examination in 2017.
Following her performance in the competitive selection process and subsequent training, Yadav was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Army Service Corps in 2019. Her transition from beauty pageantry and civil service preparations into uniform reflected a decisive career shift that culminated in her military career.
Milestone Appointment at Raj Bhavan
Her appointment as Aide-de-Camp to Governor Anandiben Patel represents a notable institutional achievement in Uttar Pradesh. The role of an ADC is historically demanding, serving as a direct personal assistant to constitutional heads of state and requiring absolute precision in official protocol, ceremonial arrangements, and daily movements.
Serving at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow, Yadav's induction as the governor's first female military ADC highlights the growing operational and ceremonial responsibilities entrusted to women officers across the Indian Army.
