Kashish Methwani, the 2023 Miss International India title winner, joined the Indian Army as a commissioned officer. After rigorous training of 11 months at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Methwani was commissioned into the Army as a Lieutenant in a Passing Out Parade held on September 6.
She joined the Air Defence Regiment. Methwani cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam in 2024. She reportedly secured an All India Rank of 2 in the CDS examination in 2024.
Who is Lt. Kashish Methwani?
Lt Methwani was born on January 9, 2001, in Ulhasnagar near Mumbai into a Sindhi family. She pursued a master’s degree in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Lt Methwani then completed a neuroscience thesis at IISc, Bengaluru, reported Financial Express. She reportedly received a PhD offer from Harvard University.
In 2023, she won the International Miss India title.
Setting aside her career in modelling, she decided to join the Indian Army. “Pageantry was a passion, but never a long-term career,” she told Hindustan Times. She said that joining the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was the turning point. She was selected to be part of the NCC’s Republic Day parade.
“Marching at the Republic Day parade and receiving the Best Cadet Trophy from Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave me a sense of purpose. It was clear the Army was where I truly belonged,” said the Indian Army officer, as quoted by Financial Express. She is a resident of Pune’s Wakad.
Lt. Methwani’s father, Dr. Gurmukh Das, worked as a scientist. He then took a senior role in the Directorate General of Quality Assurance. Her mother was a teacher at Army Public School in Ghorpadi.
Inspired by her elder sister, she explored many fields, including learning Bharatanatyam, participating in debates, and excelling academically.
She also participated in national-level pistol shooting and basketball, reported The Financial Express.
Methwani started an NGO called Critical Cause to encourage plasma, blood, and organ donation during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Notably, the Army Air Defence Regiment joined by Lt. Methwani played a crucial role during India’s Operation Sindoor.
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