In a groundbreaking milestone for India’s Border Security Force (BSF), Inspector Bhawna Chaudhary has etched her name in history as the first woman flight engineer in the force’s air wing, a unit operational since 1969. The achievement, marked by the recent completion of an inaugural in-house training program, saw Chaudhary and four male subordinate officers receive their flying badges from BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, signaling a new era of inclusivity in one of India’s premier paramilitary forces.

The BSF air wing, tasked with supporting the operational needs of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ paramilitary units, including the National Security Guard (NSG) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), has long faced a shortage of skilled flight engineers, particularly for its Mi-17 helicopter fleet. Previously reliant on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for training, the BSF encountered a bottleneck when slots for its second batch of trainees were unavailable due to logistical constraints. Seizing the initiative, the BSF secured approval from the MHA to conduct its own rigorous two-month training capsule, launched in August 2025.

This intensive program, spanning 130 hours, equipped Chaudhary and her peers with critical technical expertise, blending classroom instruction with hands-on experience. The trainees gained real-world exposure by supporting operational sorties, including disaster relief missions during recent floods in Punjab and other states. “The in-house training was a game-changer,” a BSF official told PTI, emphasizing how the program addressed the air wing’s acute staffing gaps while fostering homegrown talent.

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Chaudhary’s trailblazing role as the first woman in this high-stakes position underscores the BSF’s evolving commitment to gender diversity within its ranks. The air wing, which operates an array of aircraft—including the fixed-wing Embraer jet for VIP transport, Mi-17 1V and V5 helicopters, Cheetah, and ALH Dhruv models—demands precision and resilience, qualities Chaudhary has demonstrated in spades. Her success not only bolsters the unit’s operational readiness but also serves as an inspiration for women aspiring to break into traditionally male-dominated technical roles.

The BSF, with its 300,000-strong workforce, was established in December 1965 to safeguard India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh while tackling internal security challenges. As the force celebrates its 60th year, Chaudhary’s milestone reflects a broader push toward modernization and inclusivity. With the air wing now empowered to train its own engineers, the BSF is poised to strengthen its aerial capabilities, ensuring robust support for both border defense and disaster response. Chaudhary’s badge-pinning ceremony marks not just a personal triumph but a soaring leap for equality in India’s security forces.

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