Simran Bala: Kashmir's 'Lioness' to Lead Male CRPF Contingent at Republic Day Parade

• Assistant Commandant Simran Bala, 26, will lead the male CRPF contingent at the Republic Day Parade on January 26 at Kartavya Path, Delhi.
• This marks the first time a female officer will lead a contingent of over 140 male CRPF personnel in the national ceremony.
• Hailing from Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, Bala is the first woman from her district to join CRPF as an officer.
• She secured 82nd All India Rank in the UPSC CAPF examination in May 2023 and was the only female candidate from J&K to qualify that year.
• Bala completed her Political Science graduation from Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and received awards for Best Officer and Public Speaking during her CRPF Academy training in Gurugram.

Why It Matters: Simran Bala, a 26-year-old from J&K, makes history by leading the male CRPF contingent at Republic Day.