Lucknow’s UP Sainik School appoints first Woman principal in 65 years

Colonel Seema Mishra has been appointed principal of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Uttar Pradesh Sainik School, Lucknow, becoming the first woman to head the 65-year-old institution, officials said on Thursday.

Her two-year deputation was approved following a letter from the Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defence on October 30, and the Uttar Pradesh government formalised the appointment on December 3 through Additional Chief Secretary (Basic and Secondary Education) Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma. Colonel Mishra succeeds Colonel Rajesh Raghav, who had served as principal since January 2021.

The school was the first in the country to admit girl cadets, starting with 15 girls in 2018. Colonel Mishra’s appointment is expected to further strengthen the school’s inclusive environment and provide mentorship to female cadets.

Commissioned into the Army Educational Corps in 2003, Colonel Mishra has over 22 years of service. She holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics, BEd, and MPhil in Education, bringing both academic excellence and professional experience to the role. Her tenure is expected to emphasise leadership, discipline, and holistic development, blending rigorous academics with character-building and extracurricular growth.

Colonel Mishra is also the wife of martyr Major Nitesh Roy, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 and posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Her personal connection to the armed forces, combined with her professional experience, positions her to inspire cadets and serve as a role model for both male and female students.

Under her leadership, the school is likely to see enhanced academic standards, modern teaching methods, and a stronger focus on inclusivity and personal development, setting a progressive precedent for future cadets and the institution as a whole.