Quick Info
| Profession | Indian Army Officer |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Date of Birth | 01/01/1995 |
| Age | 31 years |
Latest News about Swathi Shantha Kumar
12/01/2026
Reports said Major Swathi Shantha Kumar was serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan as the commander of the Indian female engagement team. The coverage highlighted that her team conducted ground, riverine, and air patrols, and that their work helped create a safer environment for more than 5,000 women in remote areas.
07/01/2026
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar was selected for the United Nations Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category for her work on gender-inclusive peacekeeping in South Sudan. She and her team were chosen from nominations across UN peacekeeping missions and agencies worldwide, and she received the highest number of votes among the four finalists.
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Bio/Wiki
| Other Name | Swathi S. Kumar |
|---|---|
| Famous for | Being awarded UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 for Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 6" (168 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 55 Kg (121 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| College/University | New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Electrical & Electronics Engineering (2012-2016) |
Personal Life
| Religion | Hinduism |
|---|
Family
| Father | R. Shantha Kumar |
|---|---|
| Mother | Rajamani (Retired teacher) |
| Siblings | 2 Sisters |
Career
| Role | Major in the Indian Army and Officer of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Deployed in South Sudan with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for approximately 15 months. |
| Project | Conceptualised and led the project 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace' focused on gender-inclusive peacekeeping, which established significant community engagement for women in South Sudan. |
| Recognition | Won the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category after a UN-wide voting process. The award recognizes outstanding work in peacekeeping and community service. |
| Rank | Major |
| Service | Indian Army, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) |
| Project Details | Led the Indian engagement team under the UN mission, conducting patrols on land, river, and by air to reach remote areas and build trust with local women. The initiative helped create a safer environment for over 5,000 women and encouraged their participation in community activities and peacebuilding. |
| Current Posting | Expected to be posted in Secunderabad following return to India in early April 2026. |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Born into a traditional Kannada family and completed her schooling in Bengaluru. | |
| 2. Graduated from New Horizon College of Engineering before her commission into the Indian Army. | |
| 3. Her project aimed to improve gender parity in peacekeeping operations and contribute to local security for over 5,000 women. | |
| 4. The project was recognized and awarded after a UN-wide voting process, securing the highest votes in the Gender Category. | |
| 5. Studied electrical engineering before her commission into the Indian Army. | |
| 6. Featured in 'We The Women' series celebrating women who break barriers in uniform. | |
| 7. Turned down an offer from IBM to join the Indian Army after completing her engineering degree. |