Republic Day 2026: 26 year old Simran Bala to lead all male CRPF contingent on Rday parade
Simran Bala from Jammu & Kashmir will make history this year by leading an all-male CRPF contingent at the Republic Day Parade 2026 in Delhi. Simran is the first woman officer from Rajouri district to join CRPF.
New Delhi: As India is set to celebrate its 77th Republic Day a young officer from Jammu and Kashmir will create history on the grand occasion at Kartavya Path. 26 years old Assistant Commandant Simran Bala will become the first woman officer to lead an all-male contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) during the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26.
Commanding a marching unit of over 140 male personnel, Simran’s role is significant not only for the CRPF but also for women in India’s uniformed forces.
From Nowshera to Kartavya Path
Simran Bala hails from Nowshera in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir which is a border area close to the Line of Control. She grew up in a region shaped by security challenges, ideas of discipline, duty and service were part of everyday life. She is the first woman from the Rajouri district to join the CRPF as an officer.
Education and early career
Simran did her graduation in Political Science from the Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu.
Simran was commissioned into the CRPF in April 2025 and received her first posting in the ‘Bastariya’ battalion in Chhattisgarh, a unit involved in anti-Naxal operations. During her training at the CRPF academy in Gurugram she earned awards for best officer in training and public speaking.
UPSC in first attempt
Simran joined the CRPF after clearing the UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) exam in her first attempt in the year 2023, securing an All India Rank of 82. That same year, she was also the only woman candidate from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify, quickly emerging as a role model for aspirants across the state.
Selected on merit and leadership
Her selection to lead the all-male CRPF contingent was based on her performance and leadership skills. During intense Republic Day Parade rehearsals, senior officers were impressed by her confidence, drill precision and command over the unit leading to her historic selection.
While women officers have led CRPF contingents in the past, this is for the first time a woman will command a marching group of over 140 male personnel at the national event.