Kodagu’s Nithika Commissioned into Indian Army’s Army Air Defence Regiment
Chennai: Lieutenant P.M. Nithika was commissioned into the Army Air Defence Regiment of the Indian Army at a passing-out ceremony held at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, on September 5, 2026.
Nithika is the daughter of late Lieutenant Colonel Pandanda P.M. Muthappa, SM, of Murnad, and Kamala Muckatira (Kunjeri), former Vice-President of Kodava Samaja, Bengaluru. She is the granddaughter of late Pandanda Gappu Machaiah and Pachi Parvathy Ammanichanda, and late Muckatira Sabu Subbaiah and Gangi Gangamma Konerira.
She completed her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tumakuru and NAL, Bengaluru, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. She later pursued a master’s degree in Applied Psychology for a year before joining the Officers Training Academy.
A multifaceted sportsperson and dancer, Nithika is an accomplished Bharatanatyam and hip-hop dancer, a state-level roller skater and a national-level AITA lawn tennis player. She has won several state and national-level competitions and was also part of her college’s well-known dance group.
During her training at OTA, Nithika distinguished herself through several achievements. She won the Gold Medal in the cross-country race and received the AAD Medal for Order of Merit, OTA Endurance Medal and OTA Sports Medal. She was also recognised as “Miss OTA” and represented OTA Chennai at the Inter-Academy Services Tournament in lawn tennis.
Nithika comes from a distinguished family with a strong tradition of military service. Her father, late Lt Col P.M. Muthappa, SM, brother Capt. P.M. Ganapathy, uncles Capt. (Dr.) Ramesh Bopaiah and Pandanda S. Bheemaiah, SM (Bar), and aunt Wg Cdr Vilma Bheemaiah have all served in the defence forces.
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