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How a 23-year-old from Satara shattered gender-based norms and transformed the country’s perception of women in technical fields.
Surekha Yadav became Asia’s first female locomotive pilot in 1988. (Image: Railways)
Breaking the convention and rewriting history, Surekha Yadav stepped into the driver’s cabin of a locomotive in 1988. In an age when the railway cabins were considered no place for women, Yadav became not just India’s but also Asia’s first female locomotive pilot. As she operated locomotives inside Indian Railways, the 23-year-old shattered gender-based norms and transformed the country’s perception of women in the engineering and public service sectors.
Born in 1965 in Satara, Maharashtra, Yadav developed a passion for machines and railways from a young age. She studied electrical engineering, enrolled herself in vocational courses and applied for a job in Indian Railways. In a journey that began with sheer love for machines and the eagerness to operate locomotives, Yadav was officially appointed as an assistant driver and went on to cement her legacy.
Mastering Freight Trains
Historically, the railway cabin wasn’t considered safe for women to be inside due to the roaring engines, tough terrains and long hours that trains had to operate over. But Yadav proved people wrong with her unwavering commitment to the cause. She spent her early years mastering operations on freight trains and jumped up the ranks through great hardwork and excellence at her job.
Yadav etched her place in history when she was appointed the pilot of the iconic Deccan Queen, India’s first super-fast train running between Mumbai and Pune. The Mumbai-Pune ghats are considered some of the most challenging train stretches in India, but Yadav drove expertly on the difficult gradients and curves.
Echoing The Message: Women Belong At Trains
As Yadav gained prominence in Indian Railways, she sent across a strong message that the cabins and locomotives aren’t solely meant for men. She also inspired a generation of young girls to study hard and apply for various jobs in the railways.
Over the past decades, Yadav has remained the flagbearer of women taking up technical roles. Under her invaluable guidance, she has trained junior staff and fresh recruits for the railways. Once alone in her pursuit, Yadav is now accompanied by several female loco pilots, who drive goods trains, EMUs, metros and even sections of the famous Vande Bharat across the country.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in …Read More
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in … Read More
November 26, 2025, 17:24 IST
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