Colonel Sophia Qureshi Biography: Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Qureshi is one such braveheart of the Indian Army who has made her place in the pages of history with her courage, leadership and dedication towards the country. She is the first Indian woman officer to lead the Indian contingent in the multinational military exercise Force 18.
Her role during Operation Sindoor in 2025 made her the center of discussion across the country, when she presented the details of the action against terrorist hideouts to the world. From her beginning in the Signal Corps to cyber warfare and peace missions, Sophia has proved at every step that no goal is impossible with hard work and courage. Her story is an inspiration for everyone who dreams big.

Name | Sophia Qureshi |
---|---|
Full Name | Colonel Sophia Qureshi |
Nick Name | Sophia |
Birth Date | April 18, 1981 |
Birth Place | Vadodara, Gujarat, India |
Current Residence | Jammu, India |
Age | 44 Year Old |
Father Name | Taj Mohammad Qureshi |
Mother Name | Hanima Qureshi |
Brother Name | Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi |
Sister Name | Shayna Sunsara (Twin Sister) |
Height | 5’7″ (170cm) |
Weight | 64kg (141lbs) |
Profession | Army Officer (Signal Corps) |
School | Kendriya Vidyalaya, EME, Vadodara |
College | Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda |
Education Qualification | B.Sc. in Chemistry, M.Sc. in Biochemistry |
Early Career | 1999 (Joined Indian Army) |
Nationality | Indian |
Marital Status | Married |
Husband Name | Major Tajuddin Qureshi |
Childrens | Sameer Qureshi (Son), Hanima Qureshi (Daughter) |
Religion | Islam |
Zodiac Sign | Aries |
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Personal Life
Colonel Sophia Qureshi was born on 18 April 1981 in Vadodara city of Gujarat in a military family. Since childhood, she was a small but stubborn girl who used to do every task with full dedication and with her heart. Sophia , who grew up in a military environment of her family, had a great passion for discipline and serving the country. Sophia loves reading books, climbing mountains and learning new things. She has climbed the peak of Stok Kangri (6,153 meters), which shows her adventurous nature. She can speak Hindi, English, Urdu and French, which shows her versatility. Sophia believes that one should not give up in life, and this thinking helps her overcome every challenge.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi Family
Colonel Sophia Qureshi’s family has been a proud part of the Indian Army. Her father’s name is Taj Mohammad Qureshi who served as a Subedar in the BSF and played a key role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Her mother’s name is Hanima Qureshi who is a devoted housewife who always taught Sophia the lesson of self-confidence and hard work.
Apart from this, Sophia also has a twin sister, Shayna Sunsara, who runs a film production house in Mumbai, and her brother named Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi who adds pride to the family. Her grandfather served as a religious teacher in the Indian Army, who used to give moral guidance to the soldiers. Sophia’s family today lives in the Tandalja area of Vadodara, and they are always proud of her achievements.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Education
Sophia Qureshi received her early schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, EME, Vadodara where she always stood out in science and discipline. Her interest in science from the beginning led her to join Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda from where she completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry and M.Sc. in Biochemistry. She was about to start her PhD and dreamt of becoming a professor when the news of Short Service Commission for women in the army changed her path. In 1999 she trained at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai and was commissioned in the army. Her studies gave her technical and strategic thinking which later helped her in her military career.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Career
Colonel Sophia Qureshi started her career in 1999 with the Signal Corps of the Indian Army. Her first deployment was in Jammu & Kashmir, where she took part in anti-terrorism operations. In 2001, she was awarded the GOC-in-C Commendation Card for her services on the Punjab border during Operation Parakram. In 2006, she went to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, where she performed tasks such as ceasefire monitoring, humanitarian assistance and protection of children for six years.
In 2016, Sophia made history by participating in a multinational military exercise called Force 18. In this exercise held in Pune, she led the Indian contingent of 40 soldiers and was the only female commander among 18 countries. Her achievement was openly praised by Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat.
In 2025, Operation Sindoor brought her back into the limelight. She led a cyber-integrated unit on the western front, securing military communications and thwarting enemy cyber attacks. Subsequently, on 7 May 2025, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, she gave information about Operation Sindoor in a press conference, which symbolized the increasing role of women in the Indian Army.
Sophia also contributed to cyber warfare and communications modernization. She helped develop the Army’s first mobile digital communications network and created cyber training ranges in the Cyber Defense Command.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi Net Worth
Category | Details |
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Net Worth | ₹40 lakh – ₹60 lakh (approx.) |
Monthly Income | ₹2.5 lakh – ₹3.5 lakh (approx.) |
Annual Income | ₹30 lakh – ₹40 lakh (approx.) |
Active Years | 1999-Present |
Colonel Sophia Qureshi’s net worth is currently estimated to be around ₹40 lakhs to ₹60 lakhs. Her main source of income is her service in the Indian Army, Colonel rank salary, and military allowances. Apart from this, no business income or investment information is public. Her annual income can be between ₹30 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs, which is normal depending on her rank and experience.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Relationship and Childrens
Sophia Qureshi is married and she got married to Major Tajuddin Qureshi in 2015, who is serving as an officer in the Mechanised Infantry. The two met at an army training camp and their love story began from there. The couple also has two children, an 18-year-old son named Sameer Qureshi and a 15-year-old daughter named Hanima Qureshi. Sameer dreams of joining the Air Force and is currently preparing for the same, while Hanima also dreams of making a career in the army. Despite their busy military life, Sophia and Tajuddin spend time with the children and inspire them to serve the country.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Colonel Sophia Qureshi Awards and Recognition
Colonel Sophia Qureshi has received several honours for her outstanding work in the Indian Army:
- GOC-in-C Commendation Card (2001): For service on the Punjab border in Operation Parakram.
- Signal Officer-in-Chief Commendation Card: For managing communications in flood relief operations in Northeast India.
- Global Peace Gandhi Award (2019): For contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
- First Woman Contingent Leader (2016): First woman to lead an Indian contingent in Force 18.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Social Impact
Sophia Qureshi has given a new dimension to the role of women in the Indian Army. In 2020, she trained the first batch of Women Military Police, who were deployed in anti-terrorism areas. She often visits schools and colleges to inspire young women to join the army. Her story is an example for millions of girls, teaching that with courage and hard work no field can remain a bastion of men. Sophia has also supported policy changes, such as permanent commission for women and entry into NDA.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi Biography: Conclusion
Colonel Sophia Qureshi is one such personality of the Indian Army, who not only served the country with her courage, intelligence and leadership, but also opened new paths for women. From Force 18 to Operation Sindoor, her every achievement shows that only passion and hard work is needed to turn dreams into reality. She is an inspiration for today’s generation, teaching that no challenge is so big that it cannot be overcome.
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