Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto (Retired) has built an extraordinary legacy through military service, adventure and her continued commitment to society. Widely recognised as the first woman Army officer from the Leh region and the first female skydiver from Ladakh, she has become an inspiring figure for young women aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces.
Her journey began in Spituk, a village near Leh, where the sight of military personnel was part of everyday life. From watching officers in uniform as a young girl to serving for a decade as an Indian Army officer, completing 54 solo skydives and later being honoured by the Chief of the Army Staff, Major Kolto’s life reflects courage, discipline and an enduring spirit of service.
Honoured with the Veteran Achievers Award
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto received national recognition once again in June 2026 when Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi felicitated her with the Veteran Achievers Award during his visit to the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh.
She was among five distinguished veterans honoured for their military service and continued contribution to society. The other recipients were Colonel Tondup Wangail (Retired), Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Sonam Morup (Retired), Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Tashi Chhepal, Vir Chakra (Retired), and Naik Ghulam Haider (Retired).
The veterans were collectively recognised for initiatives supporting ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and military families. Their work has contributed to healthcare delivery in remote areas, skill development, self-reliance, community welfare and assistance for veterans requiring medical care.
The award underlined an important message: service to the nation does not necessarily end when a soldier takes off the uniform. Veterans frequently continue applying the values of discipline, responsibility and selflessness learned during military service to improve the lives of people around them.
For Major Kolto, the recognition represented another milestone in a journey that began with a childhood fascination for the men and women serving in uniform.
Growing Up Near an Air Force Station
Major Kolto comes from Spituk in Leh, located close to an Indian Air Force station. As a child, she regularly saw military officers and air warriors moving through the area.
Although seeing men in uniform was common, the presence of women officers made a particularly strong impression on her. It encouraged her to question why girls from Ladakh could not pursue similar careers in the Armed Forces.
The 1999 Kargil War became a decisive moment in her life. During the conflict, she saw male and female pilots stationed at the nearby airbase and witnessed them performing their duties for the country. The experience strengthened her determination to one day wear the uniform herself.
Growing up in a region closely associated with military service also helped her understand the responsibility and sacrifice connected with a career in the Armed Forces. Rather than viewing the Army merely as a profession, she began to see it as an opportunity to serve the nation and represent the women of Ladakh.
NCC Provided the Foundation
Major Kolto joined the National Cadet Corps during her school years and continued participating in the organisation while attending college.
The NCC gave her early exposure to military discipline, physical training, teamwork and leadership. It also provided a structured path through which she could pursue her ambition of becoming an Army officer.
For students from remote regions, access to information and guidance about military careers can sometimes be limited. Major Kolto’s involvement in the NCC helped bridge that gap and gave her the confidence required to move towards officer training.
Her journey illustrates the important role that organisations such as the NCC can play in identifying and preparing young people with the potential to serve in the Armed Forces.
Beginning Her Indian Army Journey
Major Kolto received her call letter from the Indian Army in 2010 and subsequently began her officer training. She completed the year-long training programme in 2011 and entered active service.
Over the following decade, she served in the Army and rose to the rank of Major. Her commissioning was a historic achievement for the Leh region, where very few women had previously been able to pursue a career as commissioned officers.
Serving in the military demands physical fitness, mental resilience and the ability to perform effectively under pressure. For a woman coming from a geographically remote region, the journey also involved overcoming social expectations and entering a field that, at the time, had comparatively limited female representation.
Major Kolto accepted those challenges and demonstrated that women from Ladakh could compete, train and lead alongside officers from across the country.
Her success gradually made her a role model for girls who had previously considered an Army career beyond their reach. By becoming an officer, she did more than accomplish a personal ambition—she made the path more visible for those who would follow.
Becoming Ladakh’s First Female Skydiver
Major Kolto’s appetite for challenges extended far beyond her regular military responsibilities. With a strong interest in adventure activities, she decided to pursue skydiving.
Skydiving requires extensive preparation, technical understanding and the ability to remain calm in a highly demanding environment. A solo jump places responsibility for every stage of the descent on the individual skydiver, from exiting the aircraft to controlling the parachute and completing a safe landing.
Major Kolto qualified to undertake solo jumps and became the first female skydiver from Ladakh. She went on to complete 54 solo skydives at different locations across India and Dubai.
For her, skydiving was not simply about thrill or recreation. The experience offered a new perspective on life and tested her ability to manage fear, trust her training and make decisions independently.
Her achievement carried wider significance because opportunities in specialised adventure sports have historically been difficult to access for women from remote Himalayan regions. Through determination and professional training, she entered an activity in which very few women from her home region had previously participated.
Each successful jump became another demonstration of her philosophy that limitations should not be accepted without first being challenged.
“Why Can’t I?”
One principle has guided Major Kolto through many of her achievements: “If everyone else can do it, why can’t I?”
The thought captures her approach towards military service, skydiving and life. Rather than allowing her background or circumstances to restrict her ambitions, she focused on preparation and the willingness to take the first step.
However, she has also cautioned young people against blindly following popular career trends. According to her, an individual must understand whether they are genuinely interested in a particular profession and whether they are prepared for the difficulties that may arise.
A career in the Army offers exceptional opportunities, but it also brings considerable responsibility, physical hardship and emotional pressure. Aspirants must therefore evaluate their motivations, prepare alternative plans and develop the resilience needed to face setbacks.
Her advice is especially relevant to defence aspirants who may be attracted to the prestige of the uniform without fully understanding the demands associated with military life.
Taking Release After a Decade of Service
After serving for approximately ten years, Major Kolto decided to take release from the Army. She explained that she wanted to devote more time to her parents and establish greater balance in her personal life.
The decision marked the conclusion of her active military career but not the end of her association with public service. The discipline and values developed during her years in uniform continued to shape her activities after retirement.
Her later recognition with the Veteran Achievers Award highlighted the broader role played by former military personnel in supporting communities, veterans and military families.
The award also brought renewed attention to her pioneering achievements as an Army officer and skydiver, introducing her story to a new generation of defence aspirants.
Advice for Girls Aspiring to Join the Army
Major Kolto believes that women from Ladakh and other remote regions have considerable potential to build careers in the Armed Forces. At the same time, she emphasises that ambition must be supported by systematic preparation.
Today, women can enter the Armed Forces through several routes, including the National Defence Academy examination, the Combined Defence Services Examination and other service-specific entries. Candidates must subsequently clear the Services Selection Board interview, medical examination and merit process associated with their chosen entry.
Physical fitness is important, but Major Kolto also stresses mental strength, patience and a positive attitude. Military training and service can expose officers to difficult environments, demanding schedules and high-pressure situations. The ability to remain composed and respond constructively is therefore essential.
She also considers parental encouragement crucial. Families can play an important role by communicating openly with children, helping them understand their strengths and supporting them in pursuing careers suited to their abilities.
Rather than pressuring children to follow conventional academic or professional paths, parents should encourage participation in sports and extracurricular activities that help build confidence, discipline and leadership.
A Powerful Example for Defence Aspirants
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto’s journey carries valuable lessons for every young person preparing to join the Armed Forces.
Her career shows that geographical isolation does not have to limit ambition. A young girl growing up in Spituk was inspired by the officers she saw near her home, used the NCC as a foundation, completed military training and went on to serve as a commissioned officer.
Her skydiving record demonstrates the importance of confronting fear through preparation and practice. Completing 54 solo jumps required consistency, courage and confidence in her training—qualities equally important for success in military service.
Her life after the Army also illustrates that national service can take many forms. Wearing the uniform may be one chapter, but the values developed during service can continue guiding a veteran’s contribution to society for decades.
A Legacy of Courage and Service
Major Rinchen Dolma Kolto has broken more than one barrier during her remarkable journey. As the first woman Army officer from the Leh region, she expanded the possibilities available to young women in Ladakh. As the region’s first female skydiver, she proved that even the most unconventional ambitions can be achieved through determination and training.
Her felicitation by General Upendra Dwivedi with the Veteran Achievers Award further recognised the larger tradition of veterans who continue working for the welfare of society after completing their military careers.
From Spituk to officer training, from years of Army service to solo skydives over India and Dubai, Major Kolto’s story is defined by the courage to ask a simple but transformative question: if others can achieve it, why can’t she?
For defence aspirants, young women and people from remote communities, her journey offers a clear message. Background may influence where a person begins, but discipline, preparation and perseverance determine how far they can go.
