Who is Simran Bala? Officer to Lead All-Male CRPF Contingent at Republic Day Parade
24 Jan 2026 5:53 PM IST24 Jan 2026 5:53 PM IST
Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Bala's selection as the first female leader of an all-male CRPF contingent reflects changing dynamics in India's uniformed services.
Simran Bala (Image/X)
A 26-year-old female Assistant commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is going to lead an all-male contingent at the Republic Day Parade on January 26.
This moment marks the first for the nation's largest central armed police force. It also represents a significant step in evolving the leadership landscape of India's uniformed services.
Hailing from Nowshera, Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, Simran Bala was chosen after an selecting, multi-stage evaluation that included full-dress drills, weeks of rehearsals, and command assessments along Kartavya path.
She will lead a contingent of more than 140 male personnel drawn from the CRPF’s operational units.
While speaking to Hindustan Times, Bala said, "I feel truly honoured to get the opportunity to lead the CRPF contingent at this national-level ceremony in the Republic of India."
"We had rigorous drill practices with specific concentration on each individual. We focused on team cohesion, precision and on how commands are taken and executed. I hope all of this reflects on the final day," She added.
Born and brought up in a border district that frequently witnessed cross border firing, Bala mentioned how her upbringing played a major role in her aspirations, "Growing up, I was surrounded by men and women in uniform. That atmosphere always inspired me," she said in the report.
Bala became the first woman from her district to be commissioned as a Group A officer in the CRPF.
The role is one of the most prominent ceremonial responsibilities within the security establishment of India and has traditionally been held by senior male officers.
Although women have earlier led women-only or mixed contingents, commanding an entirely male formation remains uncommon across uniformed forces.
After clearing Union Public Service Commission's Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) examination in the first attempt, securing top 100 rank, Bala joined the CRPF.
She completed her training at the CRPF Academy in Gurugram, where instructors ranked her among the strongest performers of her batch, citing her discipline, leadership abilities, and communication skills.
Her first operational posting was with a Bastariya battalion in Chhattisgarh, serving in regions affected by Left Wing Extremism. Officers who worked with her in the field described her as composed and decisive, qualities that later shone through during her ceremonial training.
While commenting on the evolving role of women in the force, Bala said her experience has reinforced her belief that opportunities are increasingly determined by merit rather than gender, "CRPF has always been a pioneer in promoting gender equality. Over the years, the force has moved towards a more inclusive system where responsibilities and opportunities are assigned purely on merit."
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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