Commander Prerna Deosthalee, one of the most accomplished women in the Indian Navy, recently appeared alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Kaun Banega Crorepati’s Independence Day special episode. The appearance celebrated the courage, professionalism, and achievements of India’s armed forces, particularly women officers who have broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated roles.
First Woman to Command an Indian Naval Warship
In December 2023, on Navy Day, Prerna Deosthalee became the first woman officer to command an Indian Naval warship when she took charge of INS Trinkat, a Waterjet Fast Attack Craft based in Goa. Her appointment marked a milestone in the Navy’s “all roles, all ranks” policy for female personnel.
She currently leads an all-male crew of about 50 personnel. INS Trinkat plays a key role in fisheries protection, anti-poaching, surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations in India’s coastal waters.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Mumbai’s Colaba area, Prerna grew up near naval installations that sparked her interest in maritime service. She studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Mumbai, where she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a naval cadet.
She went on to earn a postgraduate degree in psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. During her MA studies in Kolhapur, the Indian Navy opened observer positions for women for the first time. Encouraged by her father, she applied and cleared the entrance examination in 2009.
Naval Career Milestones
Commissioned in July 2009 and granted a permanent commission in 2020, Commander Deosthalee began her career as a naval air observer. She became the first woman observer on the Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft and later served on the Boeing P-8I Poseidon.
She earned the Indian Navy Videsh Seva Medal in 2012 for her role in anti-piracy operations that prevented the hijacking of a Chinese merchant ship by Somali pirates. She was also the first female qualified navigation instructor in the Indian Armed Forces, training new naval air operations officers.
In December 2016, she completed the Advanced Navigation Course at the Air Force School in Begumpet, Hyderabad. Before commanding INS Trinkat, she served as First Lieutenant (Deputy Executive Officer) aboard the Kolkata-class destroyer INS Chennai.
A Historic Sibling Achievement
Prerna and her younger brother, Commander Ishan Deosthalee, have made history as the first sibling duo to command Indian Navy warships at the same time. While she commands INS Trinkat, her brother leads INS Vibhuti, a Veer-class missile ship, both under the Navy’s Western Command.
Appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati
On August 15, 2025, Commander Deosthalee appeared on the “Swatantrata Diwas Maha Utsav” episode of KBC. Alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, she discussed her role in Operation Sindoor, a precision mission executed without civilian casualties.
Host Amitabh Bachchan engaged the officers in discussions about their careers and led the audience in patriotic chants. The appearance aimed to inspire young Indians, especially women, to consider a career in the armed forces.
Inspirational Message
Commander Deosthalee often says, “The Navy is not a job or a career – it is a way of life.” She believes gender should never be a limiting factor and stresses that belief in oneself is the most important quality for anyone aspiring to join the forces.
She points out that women in the Navy are trained and tasked equally as their male counterparts, whether in navigation, air operations, or combat duties.
Symbol of Progress in the Armed Forces
From her early days as a naval cadet to commanding a warship and appearing on one of India’s most-watched TV shows, Commander Prerna Deosthalee’s story is one of determination, skill, and service. Her career reflects the evolving role of women in India’s armed forces and continues to inspire the next generation of officers.
