A recent image of a poised and uniformed woman walking closely behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to the United Kingdom has sparked a wave of admiration across the nation. The officer, standing tall and alert among a heavily male-dominated security team, has been identified as Inspector Adaso Kapesa, the first woman to be inducted into the Special Protection Group (SPG) -- the elite unit responsible for the Prime Minister’s security.
Kapesa hails from Manipur, a state that has produced generations of distinguished sportspersons and military personnel. Her appointment to the SPG is being seen as a historic breakthrough for gender representation in India’s highest security tier.
Her career began with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. She is presently attached to the 55th Battalion of the SSB, stationed in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Her selection into the SPG marks a dramatic shift in gender inclusivity within India's security services, long dominated by men.
The SPG, formed in 1985 following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, is the most exclusive protective unit in the country. It conducts exhaustive screening and rigorous training of its recruits, covering tactical operations, close-quarters combat, counter-surveillance, psychological endurance, and threat neutralisation protocols. Until recently, women had not been part of its ranks.
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Kapesa’s induction has resonated deeply on social media, where users lauded her as a “trailblazer” and “role model.” Messages celebrating her presence poured in from all corners of the country. “It’s not just her skill, but the symbolism that she brings with her presence,” read one post on X.
“Adaso Kapesa’s assignment to the Prime Minister’s security team is more than just a personal achievement--it’s a symbol of growing gender inclusivity in Indian defence and paramilitary services,” noted one observer.
The SPG’s responsibilities extend beyond mere physical security. Its operatives are tasked with intelligence gathering, route sanitisation, perimeter control and anti-drone monitoring. That a woman from the Northeast has entered these hallowed ranks is being viewed as a step toward true representation in national security architecture.
Until recently, many top security forces in India, including the National Security Guard (NSG) and SPG, were completely male, with women assigned largely to administrative roles or lower-rung units. With Kapesa’s induction, observers believe it could signal a broader policy shift.
For the women of Manipur, a region caught in recent strife and ethnic unrest, Kapesa’s achievement is more than symbolic. It offers a narrative of strength, discipline and resilience amid adversity.
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