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The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- 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.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Gautam Adani Congratulates First Batch Of Women NDA Cadets
New Delhi: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Saturday lauded the first batch of women National Defence Academy (NDA) cadets for scripting history in the annals of the Indian armed forces. The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from NDA's 148th course on Friday. During the Passing Out Parade in Pune, they marched alongside over 300 male cadets. Lauding the initiative, the Adani Group Chairman called it "a nation's resolve" and stated that the message they share is "timeless". "Proof. Precedent. Possibility. Congratulations to all the first women NDA cadets as they start their march forward," said Gautam Adani, in a post on social media platform X. "They carry not just dreams but a nation's resolve. The path is new. The message is timeless. Jai Hind," he added. The women cadets joined the NDA in 2022, following a Supreme Court interim order that allowed women to seek admission to the tri-services academy. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh secured the highest rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. Cadet Lucky Kumar, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha, and Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the Science, Computer Science, and B. Tech streams, respectively. Former Army chief and Mizoram governor V K Singh, who reviewed the passing out parade, called it a "proud day for India". "A new chapter in the legacy of NDA -- where courage knows no gender, and leadership knows no bounds," Mr Singh said on X. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, on X, called the journey of the women in uniform "a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian women who continue to break barriers and inspire the nation". "With unwavering resolve and sheer determination, women cadets have made history today by graduating from the National Defence Academy. This momentous step reflects the strength of #NariShakti and reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity and empowerment in our armed forces," Union Minister Joshi said. "We salute their grit, courage, and unwavering willpower. Jai Hind!" he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
17 women march into history as NDA's first co-ed batch graduates
17 women march into history as NDA's first co-ed batch graduates Sandip Dighe TNN May 30, 2025, 14:47 IST IST They were teenagers when they walked into one of India's toughest military academies. On May 30, they passed out as officer cadets from NDA — a moment that marks not just personal triumph, but a generational shift in how India's armed forces view gender, grit, and command The National Defence Academy's 148th course is an interesting one; it is the 76-year-old institute's first co-ed batch. On May 30, its 17 women cadets took their place at the frontlines of the prestigious passing-out parade — not as participants, as they did in the last four parades, but as military officers in the making. The day before the parade, Cadet Shriti Daksh was busy preparing her uniform for the big day. She made sure that absolutely nothing was out of place, not even a thread or shoelace. The entire country will be watching, she knew, as she and her 16 course mates — among the first women who will go on to serve permanent commissions in the Indian military — go past the 'Antim Pag' of the massive Arun Khetrapal parade ground at NDA in Pune's Khadakwasla.
NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
"Good Amount Of Grind, Grit Must": Women Cadets On NDA Journey
Pune: Emotions ran high during the Passing Out Parade at the National Defence Academy (NDA) as over 300 male cadets were joined by the first ever group of women cadets to graduate from the tri-services institute. Among the 17 women cadets to graduate from NDA was Shriti Daksh, who secured the highest rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. For her, the journey at the academy was overwhelming and a roller-coaster of emotions. She said the difference between men and women was never really felt during training. "Everyone was treated the same. We (women cadets) were integrated gradually and trained in every aspect," she told NDTV. Another cadet Ishita Sangwan was thankful for the guidance of training officers and coursemates since she joined the institute in 2022, after the Supreme Court allowed women's enrolment in the NDA. "We knew nothing about fauj (army). Our officers and coursemates hand-held us. They have seen me from morning to evening and now it feels like we have always known each other," she said. For Srishti Singh, the journey of a cadet was one of ups and downs, of facing injury scares and making the "best of friends in the worst of times". "We went through a good amunt of ragda (grind) and often felt like leaving. But today when I am passing out, I feel like I should stay a bit longer," she said. She added that at the NDA, women were given equal space and opportunity and never treated differently than the men. Ms Daksh urged women to join the forces in greater numbers and be a part of the change. "No aim is too small or big. All that is needed is grit and determination," she said. Ms Sangwan admitted that very day is tough, but one has to think big and remember their reasons for being at the academy. Ms Singh credited her parents for pushing her to join the NDA, but her parents said the cadet's calibre and dedication was behind her graduation. Her proud father said, "Girls can do anything!" During the 148th Passing Out Parade today at the Khetrpal Parade Ground of the tri-service training academy in Khadakwasla, the women were marches past the Antim Pag. Academy cadet captain, Udayveer Negi, commanded the parade that was attended by Gen V K Singh, former Army Chief and current governor of Mizoram, as the reviewing officer.
NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
In A First, 17 Women Cadets Take Part In NDA's Passing Out Parade
New Delhi: The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), scripting history by marching along side over 300 male cadets during the Passing Out Parade this morning. The women cadets joined the NDA in 2022, after a Supreme Court interim order allowed women to seek admission to the tri-services academy. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh secured the highest rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. Cadet Lucky Kumar, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha and Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the Science, Computer Science and B. Tech streams respectively. Ms Daksh told PTI, "The three year training here was a mix of emotions. Initially, it took some time to assimilate but gradually I got accustomed and assimilated into the academy with the help of instructors, staff. My father is also ex-NDA and from the Hunter Squadron. I am also from the same squadron. So I am carrying forward the legacy of my family." Mr Kushwaha, whose father is an ex-serviceman, said the three years in the academy were challenging and taught him many life lessons which he will carry forward. On the admission of women cadets, he said he had witnessed the evolvement of the academy from being male-dominated to being an integrated academy one, adding "we are the ones who have who have seen the academy changing and evolving from the moon to sun". Mr Kumar told PTI that he learnt several things, from swimming to horse riding to hockey, at the academy. "Before coming here, I did not know how to play hockey but by the last term, I was the captain of the hockey team and we won a trophy," he added. Cadets were conferred degrees from Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday. Of these, 84 cadets were awarded BSc degrees, 85 received Computer Science degrees, 59 got Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees and 111 were conferred degrees. The Passing Out Parade of the 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) was held on Friday at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune. The Reviewing Officer for the parade is General Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Governor of Mizoram and former Army Chief. After passing out from NDA, cadets will proceed to their respective pre-commissioning academies: the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for the Army, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala for the Navy, and the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal for the Air Force. Since 2022, 126 women cadets have joined the NDA across six batches (148 to 153), with five resignations reported so far. While the NDA maintains that training remains largely gender neutral, certain drills were adapted to account for physiological differences.
