After winning the title of Miss International India 2023, Pune’s Kashish Methwani has now joined the Indian Army. Born on January 9, 2001, in Ulhasnagar, Mumbai, she grew up in a Sindhi family.
After almost a year of hard training at the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai, Methwani officially joined the Air Defence Regiment on September 6.
Education and family background
She cleared the 2024 Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam and decided to serve the nation, setting aside a promising career in pageants and academics. She holds a master’s degree in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University and even completed a neuroscience thesis at IISc, Bengaluru. Despite receiving a PhD offer from Harvard University, she chose to follow her dream of joining the Army.
“Pageantry was a passion, but never a long-term career,” she told Hindustan Times. “NCC was the turning point. Marching at the Republic Day parade and receiving the best cadet trophy from Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave me a sense of purpose. It was clear the Army was where I truly belonged.”
Methwani’s father, Dr Gurmukh Das, worked as a scientist before taking up a senior role in the Directorate General of Quality Assurance, while her mother, Shobha, was a teacher at Army Public School, Ghorpadi.
Inspired by her elder sister Shagufta, an engineer, Kashish explored many fields – learning Bharatanatyam and tabla, excelling in debates, academics, and sports, and even representing at the national level in pistol shooting and basketball. In 2020, during the lockdown, she showed her leadership and compassion by starting an NGO called Critical Cause to encourage plasma, blood, and organ donation, all at just 19 years old.
Training that made her stronger
Her training at OTA pushed her limits and shaped her character. “From fitness drills to tough tasks, I gave my best and was fortunate to win medals along the way. It feels like a dream come true. I am committed to giving my best in every responsibility entrusted to me,” she said.
Even after offers from modelling and acting agencies, Methwani stayed focused. “Winning a pageant was always on my bucket list. But I knew the Army was where I belonged.”
Now serving in North India with the Air Defence unit – which played a key role in Operation Sindoor – she remains dedicated to her military career.
Outside the uniform, Methwani is also a Bharatanatyam dancer, tabla player, shooter, quizzer, and founder of an NGO. “I’ve explored many paths, but NCC showed me the life I truly wanted,” she said.
At the Officers’ Training Academy, Methwani excelled in a variety of competitions, from debates to sports. She earned the AAD Medal, the highest honour for those commissioned into the Army Air Defence.
She also won a gold medal in the March and Shoot Competition, the Sikh Li Regiment Medal, and achieved the highest shooting score in the Academy. Kashish received a Drill and Discipline Badge for the best drill performance and maintained a spotless record with no punishments.