In 2016, I stumbled upon a news article featuring MP Shri Anurag Thakur in an olive green uniform, which piqued my curiosity. My research led me to the Territorial Army (TA), a unique avenue for gainfully employed civilians to serve in the Indian Army.
My long-standing fascination with the Armed Forces never included the thought of joining it, but this discovery ignited a new passion within me.
I realized that the TA offered the perfect opportunity to serve the nation in both civil and military capacities.
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However, my excitement was short-lived when I discovered that women were not eligible to apply for the TA at the time. Still, I held on to hope, recalling Paulo Coelho’s words, “When you want something badly enough, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
That hope was reignited when a PIL was filed to allow female candidates into the TA. After a three-year legal battle, the doors finally opened for women, and I eagerly applied.
I went through the three-stage selection process—Written Exam, PIB Interview, and SSB Interview —and was one of 13 women recommended by the SSB in Bhopal.
Meanwhile, in my civil career, I continued working as a Legislative Officer in the Parliament of India. I vividly remember the date—April 22, 2021—when I received a life-changing call: “Jai Hind, Sahab. You have been selected in the merit list of the TA.”
Hearing those words for the first time filled me with indescribable joy. I rushed to the Ministry of Defence to confirm the news and was overwhelmed to learn that I was the only woman selected. I had become the first and only woman officer in the Non-Departmental TA.
This accomplishment reaffirmed my belief that with determination, anything is possible. Five years after setting my heart on joining the Armed Forces, I stood there, a proud officer with two stars on my shoulders.
But the real journey began at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. The initial excitement of becoming an Army officer quickly gave way to the harsh reality of cadet life.
My days began at 4:00 a.m.—a far cry from my desk job handling legal files and researching laws. Chennai’s sweltering heat, combined with grueling physical exercises in the mud-filled Acharya Training Area, was a shock to my system.
I vividly remember trembling at the thought of completing the Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) and Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET). I could barely run 500 meters, let alone the required 5 kilometers.
My transformation extended beyond physical endurance. My long hair was cut short—a change that took days to embrace but ultimately became liberating. I’ll never forget my first time at the Baffle Range, hearing the rifle’s shot and feeling my heart race.
From struggling to cock a rifle to eventually firing a rocket launcher, my journey of transformation was profound. What was once a pen in my hand had become a rifle.
The Drill Square, however, was my biggest challenge. Sleepless nights were spent dreading the drills, and my struggle to differentiate between left and right caused quite the headache for the Drill Instructor (DI).
Initially, I felt isolated and homesick, with both my mind and body screaming for respite. Yet, over time, I grew to appreciate the camaraderie, discipline, and training that OTA instilled in us. The bonds formed with my fellow cadets, forged through shared hardships, became unbreakable.
This training taught me that life’s greatest lessons often come through adversity. It shaped me, pushed me beyond my limits, and made me realize that while I may not have been the best in my batch, I possessed the resilience and passion to continually strive for self-improvement.
OTA didn’t just train soldiers; it cultivated leaders, and it left a mark on me that will last a lifetime.
On November 13, 2021, when I successfully completed my training, it wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a step forward for the Indian Army in its journey toward becoming more gender equitable and inclusive.
As T.S. Eliot once said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
Jai Hind.
Lieutenant Deepti Rana
1st Non-Departmental Woman Territorial Army Officer
