Introductory Biography
Sofiya Qureshi was born in 1974 in Vadodara (formerly Baroda), Gujarat, India. As of 2025, she is approximately 51 years old. She serves in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals and holds the rank of Colonel. Her journey—from a military-family upbringing to becoming one of the first women to lead an Indian contingent in a multinational exercise—has drawn national attention.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sofiya Qureshi |
| Date of Birth | 1974 (exact date not publicly listed) |
| Age (as of 2025) | Approximately 51 years |
| Place of Birth | Vadodara (Baroda), Gujarat, India |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Branch / Unit | Indian Army — Corps of Signals |
| Commissioned | 1999 (Officers Training Academy, Chennai) |
| Education | BSc (1995) & MSc in Biochemistry (1997), Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda; Kendriya Vidyalaya EME (schooling) |
| Key Assignments | Strategic signals & communications postings; UN military observer; lead of Indian contingent at Exercise FORCE 18 |
| United Nations Service | Military observer with UN peacekeeping (Democratic Republic of Congo), 2006 onward (multi-year deployments) |
| Notable Operations | Led Indian contingent in Exercise FORCE 18 (2016); served as public face / briefing officer during Operation Sindoor (2025) |
| Awards & Honours | Videsh Seva & other service medals; UN Peacekeeping Medal; Global Peace Gandhi Award (reported) |
| Family | Husband: Tajuddin Bagewadi (Army officer); Son: Sameer; parents Mohammad & Amina Qureshi; siblings include three brothers and one sister |
| Residence | India (posted assignments vary) |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Estimated ₹30 lakh – ₹50 lakh (serving officer; public estimates vary) |
| Public Profile | Known for leadership roles in multinational exercises, UN peacekeeping, and high-profile media briefings for Indian Army operations |
Early Life & Education
Sofiya was born to Mohammad Qureshi (a civil-engineer-turned-religious-teacher in the Army) and Amina Qureshi (a mathematics professor). Her family hails from Vadodara and has strong military ties—her grandfather also served with the Indian Army.
She was educated at Kendriya Vidyalaya EME, Vadodara. In 1995 she completed her BSc, and in 1997 she earned an MSc in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. After finishing her postgraduate studies, she decided to join the Indian Army and was commissioned through the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, in 1999.
Military Career
Commissioning & Early Years
Upon commissioning into the Corps of Signals in 1999, Sofiya began service in key communication roles. Her technical education and family legacy contributed to her early assignments in strategic signal and intelligence communication.
United Nations Peacekeeping
In 2006, she was appointed as a military observer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), serving for over six years in international operations.
Exercise FORCE 18 & Landmark Leadership
In 2016, then-Lieutenant Colonel Sofiya commanded an Indian contingent of 40 soldiers during Exercise FORCE 18 at Pune, alongside 17 other nations. She became the first Indian woman officer to lead such a multinational exercise.
Operation Sindoor (2025)
Sofiya again gained wide recognition when she co-led the media briefings for Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces’ cross-border response following the Pahalgam attack. She represented the Army alongside senior officials, reinforcing the role of women in defence communication.
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Personal Life & Family
Sofiya married Tajuddin Bagewadi, a fellow Army officer in the Mechanised Infantry, and the couple have a son named Sameer. She comes from a close-knit family; she has three brothers and a sister, and she grew up in an environment where military service and education were deeply respected.
Net Worth & Recognition (2025 Estimate)
While exact financial details for serving army officers are not publicly disclosed, publicly available profiles estimate her net worth between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh (approximately US$36 000 – US$60 000) in 2025.
Her recognitions include:
Global Peace Gandhi Award (2019)
Chief of Army Staff Plaque of Honour for leading a woman contingent
Various service medals: Videsh Seva, Sainya Seva, UN Peacekeeping medal, and long-service awards.
FAQs
Q1: When and where was Sofiya Qureshi born?
A: She was born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Q2: What is her current rank and unit?
A: She holds the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army, Corps of Signals.
Q3: What landmark career achievements does she have?
A: She led India’s contingent in Exercise FORCE 18 (2016), served on UN Peacekeeping, and was a key figure in Operation Sindoor (2025).
Q4: What is her estimated net worth?
A: Her net worth is estimated around ₹30 lakh – ₹50 lakh in 2025.
Q5: Is she married and does she have children?
A: Yes. She is married to Tajuddin Bagewadi and they have a son named Sameer.
Conclusion
Sofiya Qureshi’s career reflects a path where commitment, education and service intersect. From Vadodara’s army-family roots to commanding Indian soldiers abroad and briefing the nation at top-level security operations, her rise underscores both tradition and transformation. As of 2025, she remains one of India’s most inspiring officers—an example that leadership and dedication know no gender.