Athira Suresh, a Civil Engineering graduate from NIT Calicut, has joined the Indian Army after leaving her job at global energy company ExxonMobil. The Kozhikode native was commissioned as a Lieutenant at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, on September 5, 2026. Athira had cleared the IIT-JEE before completing her B.Tech in Civil Engineering at NIT Calicut. She later worked as a Project Controls Engineer at ExxonMobil in Bengaluru. Inspired by her family’s military background, she decided to pursue a career in the armed forces. Athira cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) in her first attempt and completed training under the Short Service Commission Technical Women course at OTA Gaya. During her college years, she was also associated with NCC and sports activities. Her journey from NIT Calicut and corporate employment till becoming an Army officer has attracted attention as an example of choosing an unconventional career path.
Athira Suresh: NIT Calicut Graduate Leaves ExxonMobil for Army
