In a moment of pride for Jammu and Kashmir and the nation, 26-year-old CRPF Assistant Commandant Simran Bala is set to create history by leading an all-male contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path on January 26.
Officials confirmed that while women officers have earlier commanded CRPF contingents at Republic Day, this is the first-ever instance of a woman officer leading a large formation of over 140 male personnel at the country’s biggest national ceremony.
First Woman Officer from Rajouri to Achieve This Feat
Hailing from Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, Simran Bala is also the first woman from the district to join the CRPF in an officer’s rank, marking a significant milestone for the region. Her journey from a small town in J&K to the national spotlight reflects changing times and the growing role of women in India’s security forces.
Academic Excellence to Field Leadership
According to officials, Bala is a political science graduate from Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu. She was commissioned into the CRPF in April 2025 after successfully clearing the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant examination.
Her first posting was with the elite ‘Bastariya’ battalion in Chhattisgarh, a unit actively involved in anti-Naxal operations. During her training at the CRPF Academy in Gurugram, she earned accolades, including the Best Officer Award in training and public speaking.
CRPF: Backbone of India’s Internal Security
With a strength of nearly 3.25 lakh personnel, the CRPF is India’s largest paramilitary force. It plays a critical role in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, anti-Naxal missions, and counter-insurgency duties in the Northeast.
Simran Bala’s leadership at the Republic Day parade symbolises not just personal achievement, but also the CRPF’s evolving and inclusive ethos.
Republic Day Parade to Showcase Nari Shakti
The Republic Day parade 2026 will once again display India’s military might and cultural diversity as it moves from Raisina Hill to Red Fort via India Gate.
Adding to the spectacle, a joint team of women ‘daredevils’ from the CRPF and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will perform motorcycle stunts on Enfield Bullet bikes, a feat earlier showcased in the 2020 parade.
Other highlights include:
- CISF marching and band contingents
- Border Security Force’s iconic camel-mounted troops and bands
- A joint tableau by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) as part of the Union Home Ministry’s float
Simran Bala’s historic role at Kartavya Path sends a powerful message of women empowerment, leadership, and equal opportunity in India’s armed and paramilitary forces. Her achievement is expected to inspire countless young women, especially from Jammu and Kashmir, to dream big and serve the nation.
