1st batch of women cadets graduates from NDA, ex-Army chief hails big step for ‘women-led development'
The court directive came on a petition filed by women aspirants, who argued that since the armed forces had opened up permanent commissions for women officers, the same opportunity should be extended to female cadets at the entry-level training institutions.
This follows a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in August 2021, which ruled that women should be allowed to appear for the NDA and Naval Academy entrance examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
New Delhi: Seventeen women cadets graduated in a historic first, alongside 322 male counterparts, from the Pune-based National Defence Academy (NDA) Friday, marking the successful passing out of the maiden co-ed batch from the tri-services institution.
The NDA began admitting women in 2022.
According to a statement by the defence ministry, a total of 1,341 cadets, including 336 from the graduating cohort, participated in the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla. The ceremony was reviewed by General V.K. Singh (Retd), former Army chief and current Governor of Mizoram.
Calling it a 'historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment,' Gen Singh said, 'These young women are a symbol of 'Nari Shakti', embodying not just women's development but women-led development.'
Sharing their journeys, cadet Ishita Sanghwan, told ANI news agency she is the first in her family to join the armed forces. 'For the last three years, I dreamt of passing the 'anant pag' (final step). Every day here felt like a new box full of surprises and learnings. Training instilled a sense of oneness in all of us,' she said.
Another cadet, Harsimran Kaur, told the agency the NDA wasn't originally part of her plans. 'I was preparing for JEE Mains and planning to give the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam when a friend informed me about the NDA opening for women. It came as a surprise.'
The NDA is widely referred to as the 'cradle of leadership' as it produces officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. After completing their course at NDA, the 17 female cadets will proceed to their respective pre-commissioning training academies for the final phase of training before commissioning.
During the convocation, 339 cadets, including the 17 women cadets, were conferred degrees by Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). These included 84 Bachelor of Science (BSc), 85 Computer Science, 59 Bachelor of Arts (BA), and 111 Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
Replying to a query in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year in March, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said in a written statement that a total of 126 girls from 17 states and Union Territories joined NDA since women were allowed in. Haryana topped the list with 28 women cadets, followed by Uttar Pradesh (28), Rajasthan (13) and Maharashtra (11). Punjab and Himachal Pradesh had sent five and four cadets, respectively.
The first batch initially comprised 19 women, 10 selected for the Army, six for the Air Force, and three for the Navy. Seventeen of them successfully completed the rigorous three-year training.
Seth also informed that adequate infrastructure and facilities had been provided for women cadets, on par with their male counterparts, to support training and ensure seamless integration.
The apex court's ruling allowing women into the NDA came nearly three decades after the armed forces began inducting women as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers. It also followed the court's 2020 decision granting women SSC officers eligibility for permanent commission and command roles in the Indian Army.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: From non-delivery of fighters to constant delays & 'black sheep', IAF chief speaks out
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