Nirmala Sitharaman became India’s first full-time woman Defence Minister in 2017. She was not the first woman ever to hold the post: her official biography identifies her as the second woman overall, after Indira Gandhi.
What was Nirmala Sitharaman’s milestone?
In a 7 September 2017 release, the Ministry of Defence called Sitharaman “the first full time Woman Defence Minister of India.” The qualification matters: she was the first woman to hold the role full-time, but the second woman overall to serve as Defence Minister, according to her official biography.
The distinction avoids a misleading shorthand. Indira Gandhi had held the Defence portfolio before Sitharaman, so “first woman Defence Minister” without qualification can imply something the official record does not support.
When did she take charge, and how long did she serve?
Two government records give different dates for the start of her Defence Minister tenure. The Ministry of Defence said Sitharaman took over charge on 7 September 2017, while the Department of Revenue lists her tenure as running from 3 September 2017 to 30 May 2019. The sources do not explain the difference, so the dates should be understood in the context each source provides rather than treated as interchangeable.
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The Ministry of Defence had announced on 6 September 2017 that she would assume charge the following day. After leaving the Defence portfolio, she assumed charge as Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs on 31 May 2019, according to the Ministry of Finance.
What did she do on taking charge?
The Ministry of Defence’s 7 September 2017 release reported two assistance approvals made as Sitharaman took charge:
- A grant of more than Rs 13 crore through the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund for 8,685 ex-servicemen, widows and dependants.
- Financial assistance through the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Fund.
These were actions reported at the start of her tenure; the figures describe that assistance, not a measure of her overall time in office.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about her background?
The Press Information Bureau profile says Sitharaman was born in Madurai, studied economics at Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, and worked in London before entering politics.
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