New Delhi: Nirmala Sitharaman was on Sunday made India's first full-time woman defence minister in a major Cabinet reshuffle.
Before her, the then prime minister Indira Gandhi had helmed the ministry from 1975-77 as additional charge.
Here are some of world's other women achievers who helmed the post:
Sri Lanka: Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike held the post from 1960-65 and 1970-77.
Australia: Ros Kelly held the post from 1987-88.
Pakistan: Benazir Bhutto held the post from 1988-90.
Canada: Mary Collins held the post from 1989-93.
Finland: Elisabeth Rehn held the post from 1990-95.
Bangladesh: Begum Khaleda Zia from 1991-96 and 2001-06.
Norway: Kristin Krohn Devold 2001-05.
France: Michèle Alliot-Marie 2002-07.
Colombia: Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón 2002-03.
Sweden: Lena Hjelm-Walén 2002.
New Zealand: Annette King 2005-07.