In a first, 17 female cadets take part in NDA parade
While the 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) concluded its rigorous training with a grand Passing Out Parade (POP) held at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground on the morning of May 30, 2025, the occasion was made even more momentous by the 17 pioneering female cadets who became the first women to pass out from the NDA.
A total of 1,341 cadets participated in the parade, including 336 who were part of the passing out course. This year's POP was historic in that it witnessed the commissioning of the first-ever batch of 17 female cadets from the NDA. These pioneering cadets will now move on to their respective pre-commissioning training academies as proud NDA alumni.
The presence of the female cadets' parents added a deeply personal dimension to the ceremony as they celebrated not only their daughters' achievements but also the latter's role in breaking barriers and redefining possibilities for women in the Indian Armed Forces. The event – a vibrant celebration of discipline, dedication and military excellence – was attended by the cadets' proud parents, dignitaries, schoolchildren, civilians, and both serving and retired members of the Armed Forces. Many among the attendees look visibly moved as they proceeded to break into tearful smiles and give standing ovations.
The reviewing officer for the parade was general V K Singh (Retd.), governor of Mizoram, who took the salute as the cadets marched past the quarterdeck with immaculate precision. The parade was commanded by academy cadet captain Udayveer Singh Negi of Golf Squadron while lieutenant colonel Praveen Kumar Tiwari, the adjutant, astride his charger 'Reliant Robin', oversaw the ceremonial proceedings.
In recognition of outstanding performance, the reviewing officer presented the President's Medals to the top cadets in the order of merit. The President's Gold Medal was awarded to BCA Prince Raj; President's Silver Medal to ACC Udayveer Singh Negi; and President's Bronze Medal to BCC Tejas Bhatt. The Chiefs of Staff Banner was awarded to Golf Squadron, further underscoring the latter's exemplary performance during the training.
Adding to the ceremonial grandeur, a flypast featuring flag-trooping Chetak helicopters, Super Dimona motorised gliders, and Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft offered a spectacular aerial salute, symbolising the high standards of training and readiness at the NDA.
NDA unveils magazine chronicling journey of first female cadets
On the sidelines of the POP, chief guest, general V K Singh (Retd.); along with lieutenant general Gurucharan Singh, commandant of the NDA; interacted with members of the media. During the interaction, they unveiled a special commemorative magazine dedicated to the inaugural batch of female cadets at the academy. The publication captures a historic chapter in NDA's evolution and features personal reflections from the commandant and deputy commandant on the induction and training of the female cadets. The magazine also includes firsthand accounts and experiences shared by the cadets themselves, offering a sneak-peek into their journey and the transformative impact of their presence at the academy.
Addressing the media on this occasion, general V K Singh (Retd.), said, 'The female cadets were seamlessly integrated into the POP, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts – indistinguishable in their bearing, precision, and discipline. This remarkable cohesion is a testament to the meticulous training and rigorous standards upheld by the academy. While the journey to induct female cadets into the NDA involved a long and deliberate process, that milestone has now been firmly achieved. The academy is steadily evolving into a truly gender-neutral institution, committed to providing equal opportunities and nurturing the potential of every cadet. There is no doubt that the NDA will continue to deliver advanced and progressive training, ensuring that all cadets, regardless of gender, are fully prepared for the challenges of military leadership.'
NDA commandant lieutenant general Gurucharan Singh reflected on the journey of integrating the female cadets into the academy saying, 'The process of including female cadets has been underway for quite some time. Initially, they were housed separately in designated accommodations as we closely observed how they adapted to the training environment. After carefully reviewing their performance, they were progressively integrated into squadrons and battalions. Today, they train together, play together, and participate in camps alongside their male counterparts. I can confidently say that we now have the experience and insight needed to ensure that future training will yield even better outcomes. Of course, we drew inspiration from institutions like the Officers Training Academy and the Indian Naval Academy, where female cadets have long been part of the system, and adapted our approach accordingly.'
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The Hindu
14 hours ago
- The Hindu
17 women, look up to the sky
On May 29, Jasmine, 21, is dressed in her white uniform and stands with her parents on the steps of the National Defence Academy's (NDA) Sudan Block. Behind her, flanking the entrance, are gold tri-service emblems with the words 'Service before self'. In front of her is the rest of her life, which she will likely spend serving India in one of the three defence forces. Hugging her mother, she says with joy, 'I did it.' Jasmine is one of 17 — the first batch of women to graduate from the military's joint-services training institute in Khadakwasla, Maharashtra. It took 148 courses, 70 years, and a Supreme Court verdict for policies to change, so women could enter the academy. She graduates with over 300 men, who will all join as officers in the Army, Air Force, and Navy. In September 2021, Jasmine came across a notification on the government's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) website inviting women to appear for the entrance exams. The Supreme Court had ruled in favour of this just the month before, based on a petition. The petition had argued that the NDA had been violating women's right to equality and the right to practise the profession of their choice. This decision came after three decades of women serving in the armed forces through Short-Service Commission, where they could serve for 10 years, with an extension. However, women have always been a part of the medical, educational, legal and other services of the military in non-combatant roles. Women fighter pilots have been inducted into the Air Force since 2016. However, the Army still does not permit women in the fighting arms like the infantry. With the entrance exam on November 14, there were just 70 days to prepare. The first batch of 19 female cadets joined the NDA in August 2022. Two withdrew from the course for personal reasons, according to NDA officials. Since 2022, when women were inducted into the NDA, there have been 126 cadets across courses. Jasmine comes from Charkhi Dadri town in Haryana, where her parents, Jeevan Ram, 42, and Sarita, 42, are farmers. 'We might be from a village, but our thinking has never been regressive,' says Sarita, her eyes filled with pride. There are two others from the same town, all from non-military backgrounds. Of the 17, nine cadets will join the Army, three will join the Navy, and five will join the Air Force. Jasmine will join the Navy and go to Hyderabad for further training. Most of the women are from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. Currently, the defence forces have 11,414 women officers, as per officials. Stepping up They stand on the steps of Sudan Block, and photos are taken, frozen as a memory and a part of history. The block is located at the heart of the NDA's 7,000-acre campus, set in the foothills of the Western Ghats, 17 km from Pune city. It is a central point for ceremonial functions, where parents, instructors, cadets, and officers meet and greet after the convocation, held on May 29. As the Super Dimona motorised gliders fly overhead, saluting the 148th course cadets for graduating, Srishti Chaudhary, 21, and Harsimran Kaur, 21, stand in Sudan Block's garden looking at the sky. Both were preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), a national-level exam for engineering programmes, before turning to the NDA. 'I had 40 days to prepare and took online classes for initial coaching,' says Srishti, who hails from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and will be serving in the Navy. Harsimran, whose father is in the Army, had plans to enter via the Short-Service Commission route, until NDA opened its doors to women. Ishita Sangwan, 21, who is also from Charkhi Dadri, was deciding between the JEE and the Civil Services. The cadets — both male and female — go through a gruelling selection process, starting with a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by an interview process under the Services Selection Board. There are medical tests to be cleared and for those aspiring to join the Air Force, a Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test must be taken. 'You have to have clear priorities before joining the NDA,' says Ishita, who is joining the Air Force. Overwhelmed, she hugs her instructor, repeatedly saying thank you with tears rolling down her face. Ishita remembers a phone call from her father, who is a school principal. 'He told me the NDA was open for women candidates. We discussed it and I decided to take the exams,' she added. After three years of rigorous physical training and academic courses, cadets will go for further training for at least a year. Army cadets will go to Dehradun's Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force cadets will be trained at the Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal, and naval cadets at Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, Kerala. Game of endurance Physical training is one of the major elements of the NDA's three-year course and is often considered its toughest component. Daily training includes obstacle courses, route marches, swimming, horse riding, rope climbing, sprinting, field tactics, weapon handling, and more. During the petition hearing in the Supreme Court, the Centre had opposed the enrolment of women over biological differences. Now, the NDA spokespeople say all training was the same, but physical standards were adjusted to address biological differences. The women say it was a matter of mental strength and endurance. Ishita remembers her toughest moments: 'We had to climb a hill bearing weight as a part of Camp Rovers. Everyone was exhausted because it extends for five days. We hadn't slept properly for three or four nights and I felt like giving up. But my coursemate Srishti Singh started singing, and we kept climbing. The next thing we knew the hill was conquered.' One of the toughest challenges was the 40 km Josh Camp, conducted at the end of the sixth term, say the women. All 18 squadrons competed with each other and performed various tasks, including map reading and running day and night. Ishita's squadron, which included male counterparts, started at 9:30 p.m. and finished at 11:30 the next morning. NDA Commandant Vice-Admiral Gurcharan Singh called the inclusion of women a 'progressive process'. Initially, the female cadets' living arrangements were separate as that is the way it is done at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, which has been open to women since 1992, with Short-Service Commission. This was changed in the NDA to build camaraderie among members of a squadron. 'We ensured they played, lived, trained, together, to achieve gender neutrality,' says Gurcharan, adding that barriers need to come down from the start, so there is no difference in times of conflict or battle. Mothers and others On May 30, Geeta Dhaka, 45, watched with pride as her daughter Shanan Dhaka, 21, participated in the passing out parade. The women and men are dressed alike, their hair cropped short, and from a distance, there is no difference. Shanan's sister is currently training at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). 'Today, I feel really proud as my daughter has endured the toughest defence course. Since childhood, my children had wanted to join the defence, like my husband. This shift from a fauji wife to a fauji maa is emotional and painful too,' she says, understanding that in case of a war-like situation, her husband and daughter may both be called up. The Dhaka family is from Chandigarh, but currently resides in Rohtak. Division Cadet Captain (DCC) Shriti Daksh, who was put into a leadership position, follows in her father's footsteps. Wing Commander Yogesh Daksh (retd.) is proud: 'Shriti scored 97% in Class 10 and 99% in Class 12. She has always been good academically, and seeing her top the arts course makes me a happy father.' Her mother was worried about the intense physical training, but says, 'It goes to show that if you put your mind to something, it will pay off.' Their other daughter is serving in the Air Force as a Flying Officer, and the family hails from Haryana, but is currently based in Noida. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi of the 'G' Squadron, who commanded this Spring term parade (two batches pass out each year from NDA), waited as Shriti celebrated with others informally in the parking area, between cars. Amid the loud cheers of betiya date hi rahe, betiya jeet gayi (Daughter keep going, daughter won), Udayveer says, 'Most of the time we forget that they are women. We trained with each other, shoulder to shoulder. In a few tasks like map reading and field tactics, they outdid us. We felt equal, and gender was never a restriction.' The cadets' parents would visit their children at the end of each term of six months, meeting each other too. After the parade, mothers hugged each other and clicked selfies. Srishti's mother, Priyanka, says, 'Our children have become friends, but we parents also share bonds. We became each other's support systems through the course.' Cadet Harsimran Kaur from Punjab points out: 'Our bond has grown beyond that during these three years. These friendships are for life.' Edited by Sunalini Mathew
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Daring 17: The first women who crossed NDA portals
The National Defence Academy (NDA) has marked a watershed moment in India's military history with the graduation of its first batch of women cadets. In a two-day event at the prestigious Khadakwasla-based academy that concluded with the convocation ceremony on Friday, 339 cadets of the 148th course of NDA, including 17 pioneering women, were awarded degrees in a convocation ceremony that signified a new era of inclusivity and gender equality in the Indian armed forces. This milestone comes after a landmark 2021 Supreme Court ruling opened the NDA's gates to women for the first time since its inception in 1954. Over the course of three years, the cadets underwent intensive academic, physical, and military training, preparing them for future commissioning into the Army, Navy, or Air Force. A highlight of the convocation was cadet Shriti Daksh, who created history by becoming the first female cadet to receive the Silver Medal and Chief of Air Staff Trophy for securing the top rank in the BA stream. The moment was made even more special as cadets celebrated with their families on the scenic lawns outside the Sudan building, with an air display honouring their achievements. The second day featured the traditional antim pag or 'last step', as 1,341 cadets, including the graduating batch, marched past the Quarterdeck flag mast. The Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade was General V.K. Singh (retd.), Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of the Army Staff. Emotions ran high as proud family members embraced and congratulated the women cadets — many of whom have become trailblazers in their own right. In a powerful closing gesture, the women cadets performed 10 ceremonial push-ups in front of the Sudan building, a symbolic display of strength, resilience, and determination. This historic event marks not just a personal achievement for the cadets, but a significant stride for women in India's defence forces. Esprit de corps: NDA cadets share a light moment after the passing out parade marking the culmination of the 148th course training at the Khetrapal Parade Ground in Pune on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Top prize: Shriti Daksh marches towards the stage to receive the Commandant's Silver Medal and Chief of Air Staff trophy. Moment to cherish: A cadet with her mother after the convocation ceremony. Way forward: Army officials with female cadets during the convocation ceremony. Marching on: NDA cadets , both male and female, take part in the passing out parade on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Guest of honour: Former Army chief General V.K. Singh (retd.) in conversation with female cadets after the parade. Class dismissed: NDA cadets cheering with their professor after the parade. Proud kin: A cadet shares a happy moment with a family member. Final drill: Cadets perform ceremonial push-ups in front of the Sudan Building after their convocation.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
How the NDA offers women a path to become service chief in the future
There were 17 women cadets in the 148th batch of the National Defence Academy (NDA) which graduated from the prestigious tri-services institute in Khadakwasla on Friday. This is a watershed moment for the armed forces, one which opens a realistic path for women to reach the highest echelons of the Indian military in the coming decades. Here's a look at the journey so far, and the significance of Friday's milestone. In 1888, the British established the Military Nursing Service, officially opening up the military for women in India. In 1958, the Indian Army Medical Corps began granting regular commissions to women doctors. But non-medical roles remained off limits till 1992, when the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) was introduced to induct women in select non-combat streams — such as the Army Education Corps (AEC), Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers — as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers. Permanent Commission (PC) remained out of reach for women until 2008, when women SSC officers in the Judge Advocate General department and the AEC became eligible. The government allowed women PC officers into eight other non-combat streams in 2019, but precluded them from being offered command appointments. The fight for PC and just terms of service had reached the courts in the 2000s. The Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict on the matter in 2020, ruling that women officers were eligible for PC and command roles across ten streams, and could not be denied 'based on sex stereotypes… which discriminate against women'. In 2021, the apex court ordered the NDA to admit its first batch of women cadets. The court was hearing a plea seeking directions to allow eligible women to appear in the NDA and Naval Academy entrance examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The 17 women who graduated on Friday were admitted to the premier defence academy a year later. Integration into squadrons The NDA has admitted 126 women cadets till date, upto the academy's 153rd batch. When admitting its first women cadets in 2022, the NDA had said that training will be conducted in 'an absolutely gender-neutral manner' with 'minimum changes to the existing curriculum'. Most training activities are conducted jointly — along with male cadets — keeping the cadets' employability in mind, specifically the fact that women officers would be required to take up command roles in the future, the NDA says. The academy has a dedicated support staff for training women cadets. For its first women cadets, the NDA borrowed from training methodologies and regimens already in place in other Pre-Commissioning Training Academies such as the Officers Training Academy Chennai, Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, and the Air Force Academy Dundigal. Women SSC officers have been graduating from these academies since 1992. Women cadets were initially provided separate accommodation on the NDA campus. But they have since been integrated into the existing 18 squadrons of the academy. This milestone was achieved earlier this year, during the sixth and final term of the first batch to include women. The NDA's 18 squadrons are the foundational units of the academy's organisation, effectively acting as cadets' families during their time in the academy. The integration of women cadets into the squadrons means that they live and train like any of their male counterparts, going through the entire daily routine together. On Friday, the women cadets marched shoulder to shoulder with the men, wearing the same uniforms, and completely indistinguishable from their male counterparts to the average watcher. A momentous occasion In October 2021, after the Supreme Court had ordered the NDA to admit women, then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane had said: 'I think 30 to 40 years down the line, a woman could be standing where I am standing.' The very same thoughts were echoed by former COAS and current Mizoram Governor Gen V K Singh (Retd), who was the Reviewing Officer for the passing out parade of the NDA's 148th batch on Friday. 'I envision a future not far from now when one of these young women may rise to the highest echelons of the service they go to,' he said. This is what makes Friday's milestone such a momentous one in the history of the Indian armed forces. Previously, women joined the military via SSC or direct entry routes into select branches. Neither did they have the opportunity to take up command roles, nor a viable long-term path to rise up the ranks of the armed forces. The NDA offers the early career training, leadership grooming, and exposure that only male officers had access to till now, which in turn opens the door for women officers to have a stable, permanent career in the military. A woman cadet graduating from the NDA can start young, and potentially build a 35- to 40-year-long career that is essentially a prerequisite to becoming a service chief. Command roles, especially in combat arms like infantry, artillery, navy warships, or fighter squadrons, are also crucial for career advancement. Women cadets graduating from the NDA for the very first time will have the opportunity to reach these positions. 'The recent developments are certainly encouraging,' a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Marshal told The Indian Express. 'However a deeper cultural shift within the armed forces is necessary. A change that would normalise having women in leadership [positions],' he said. Some streams remain out of bounds for women, meaning conscious decisions will have to be taken to change that situation, the retired IAF officer added. 'Armed forces will also have to take further efforts on work-life infrastructure and mechanisms for maternity policy, childcare support, spousal postings. The criteria for promotion boards and evaluation, command postings will need upgrades,' he said. Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
