From crown to uniform: Kashish Methwani’s journey from Miss India to Army officer, check her inspiring story

After winning the title of Miss International India 2023, Pune’s Kashish Methwani has joined the Indian Army. Following nearly a year of training at the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, she was commissioned into the Air Defence Regiment on September 6.

Born on January 9, 2001, in Ulhasnagar, Mumbai, Methwani grew up in a Sindhi family. She cleared the 2024 Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination and chose to serve in the Army, stepping away from opportunities in pageantry and academics.

Methwani holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University and completed a neuroscience thesis at IISc, Bengaluru. She also received a PhD offer from Harvard University but opted to pursue a career in the armed forces.


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“Pageantry was a passion, but never a long-term career,” she said, adding that her experience in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was a turning point. She recalled marching at the Republic Day parade and receiving the best cadet trophy from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as moments that gave her a sense of purpose.

Her father, Dr Gurmukh Das, worked as a scientist before taking up a senior role in the Directorate General of Quality Assurance, while her mother, Shobha, was a teacher at Army Public School, Ghorpadi. Inspired by her elder sister, an engineer, Methwani explored multiple fields, including Bharatanatyam and tabla, and participated in debates, academics and sports. She also represented at the national level in pistol shooting and basketball.

In 2020, during the lockdown, she founded an NGO, Critical Cause, to promote plasma, blood and organ donation.

At OTA, Methwani underwent rigorous training that tested her physical and mental endurance. She said the experience strengthened her resolve and described her commissioning as a dream come true.

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During her training, she earned several honours, including the AAD Medal, awarded to those commissioned into the Army Air Defence. She also won a gold medal in the March and Shoot Competition, the Sikh Li Regiment Medal, and achieved the highest shooting score at the academy. She received a Drill and Discipline Badge for best drill performance and maintained a record without punishments.

Now serving in North India with the Air Defence unit, she said she remains committed to her responsibilities in the Army.