Shreya N. Gowda of Bhadravathi has secured All India Rank 1 in the women's category of the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination, in her very first attempt. A native of Thimmapura village in Bhadravathi taluk of Shivamogga district, Shreya has been selected for training at the National Defence Academy.

The NDA is one of India's most prestigious defence institutions. After completing training, cadets are commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Shreya secured a clean first rank in the (UPSC-NDA) women's category, which was released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Her achievement has brought pride not just to her family and village, but to Karnataka as a whole.

She is the daughter of Bhargav and Nandini, residents of Thimmapura village. Her father works as a technical assistant at the MPMS school in Bhadravathi. Her mother is a homemaker.

A native of Thimmapura, she was raised in a family that encouraged discipline and ambition. Her success has made her family, village, and district proud.

Congratulating Shreya on X, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, "A big salute to a girl from Karnataka! Shreya Gowda of Bhadravathi has secured All India Rank 1 in the NDA women’s category in her very first attempt. Her hard work, dedication, and sheer passion are truly inspiring."

Meanwhile, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said that Shreya’s success is a historic achievement. "The daughter of Bhadravathi has won my heart and should be a source of inspiration for all. She is the first woman from Bhadravathi to secure a place in the National Defence Academy. Her achievement makes Karnataka proud," he said.

A dream since childhood

Shreya shared that her dream of joining the Indian Army began when she was a child. Her love for the Army and uniform started in her sixth standard when she came across the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) examination. She applied for it but failed because she did not prepare well.

Shreya’s determination did not fade. She began preparing for the NDA in her second year of pre-university college, and cleared the NDA examination in her very first attempt. She had topped the district with 585 marks out of 600 in her first PUC examination.

Speaking about her achievement, Shreya said, "I was inspired by the Army and chose to appear for the NDA examination. I used to watch many motivational videos in childhood and had a constant desire to serve the nation. I am very happy."

Her education journey

Shreya studied up to the fourth standard at an MPMS school in Bhadravathi. She received training for the NDA at SKIPPO Academy, Mysuru, and was earlier enrolled at DVS High School, Shivamogga.

She drew attention to the fact that the very institution where her father teaches supported her studies, calling it a matter of great pride.

She is currently pursuing her degree at the University of Hyderabad, in the second year. She has already completed the five-day Service Selection Board (SSB) interview at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Shreya will now begin her NDA training at Pune from January. She will be trained at the National Defence Academy, Pune, for three-and-a-half years, followed by one year at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.