Kashish Methwani

Some Lesser Known Facts About Kashish Methwani

• During her school years, she was involved in many extracurricular activities: she learned Bharatanatyam dance, played tabla, participated in debates, and played sports like basketball.

• In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, at age 19, she founded an NGO called Critical Cause, which works to promote awareness and action for plasma, blood, and organ donation.

• In January 2021, she took part in the Republic Day parade as part of the NCC and was awarded the All-India Best Cadet Trophy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• She participated in beauty pageants and was crowned Miss International India in 2023.

  

• She cleared the Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination in 2024, securing All India Rank 2.

• After around 11 months of rigorous training at the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, she was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Lieutenant on 6 September 2025 in the Army Air Defense arm.

• During her training at OTA, she earned several distinctions like the AAD medal for highest order of merit in army air defense, the Sikh Regiment medal in the March and shoot competition, the drill and discipline badge, and the commandant’s pen.

• She declined a PhD offer from Harvard University in order to follow her goal of serving in the Indian Army.