Meet Yashasvi Solankee, First Female Aide-De-Camp To India's President

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solankee of the Indian Navy is making history as the first woman appointed as Aide-de-Camp to the President of India. She was selected in April from a panel of three other Naval officers, all women, and officially took charge as President Droupadi Murmu's ADC in May. A President typically has five ADCs: three from the Army, one from the Navy, and one from the Air Force. 

Who is Yashasvi Solankee?

Lt. Cdr. Solankee has been appointed as ADC to the President for about three years. She earlier served in the Naval Armament (Defence Production) in Hyderabad. 

According to News 18 Hindi, Lt. Cdr. Solankee comes from a small town in the Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana. Her father is a teacher in a government school, and her mother is a homemaker. She studied at Lady Shriram College in Delhi and joined the Indian Navy under Short Service Commission in 2012.

What does an ADC do?

Lt. Cdr. Solankee will serve as the bridge to the President, assisting her with ceremonial, diplomatic, and operational duties. ADCs are present with the President at all official events, facilitating communication with various branches of the government and military. They are assigned a duty room next to the President’s room and have to be available at all times.

Speaking to the Indian Express, she revealed that ADCs have to prepare for all the engagements and take up-to-date information about the President's appointments and brief her before every engagement. "I need to be updated at all times, every second, because at any time, anyone can ask me any question, and I have to be prepared," she told the outlet.

Selection and qualifications

The President of India themselves selects the Aide-de-Camp. They must meet a set of physical and professional criteria. The ADC is selected based on height (at least 173 cms) and physical fitness. Women officers without permanent commission can also apply.

First woman Aide de Camp

While Lt Cdr Solankee is the first female ADC to the President of India, some other women have been appointed for other officers. In 2019, Lieutenant Ganeve Lalji was made ADC of the Army Commander. In 2023, Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi became ADC of the Governor of Mizoram.