A landmark moment in Indian military history unfolded on Thursday as the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune held the convocation ceremony for its 148th course, marking the graduation of its first-ever batch of women cadets. After three years of intense and rigorous training alongside their male counterparts, 17 women cadets proudly completed their journey, ready to be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Among them was Harsimran Kaur from Haryana, the daughter of a retired constable, whose determination and perseverance reflect the spirit of this historic batch. “Both my father and grandfather served in the army. NDA taught me discipline, team spirit, and leadership,” she said, expressing her pride in achieving this milestone. Another cadet, Shruti Daksh, who will proceed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and aspires to join the artillery, said, “My father is an NDA alumnus and retired from the Air Force. Service to the nation runs in our family. Training alongside male cadets instilled camaraderie, confidence, and determination.”
The entry of women into the NDA was made possible following a landmark Supreme Court ruling in August 2021, which allowed women to appear for the NDA entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Following the ruling, the NDA began admitting women cadets from 2022, reshaping the future of military leadership in India. During the convocation, NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh lauded the achievements of the women cadets and expressed confidence in their future as leaders. “These cadets have shown exceptional performance and resilience. I am confident they will excel in their respective fields,” he stated.
A total of 339 cadets were awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at the ceremony. The graduates included 84 in science, 85 in computer science, 59 in arts, and 111 in engineering. According to NDA officials, both male and female cadets underwent nearly identical training, with a strong emphasis on physical fitness, academic excellence, and the development of officer-like qualities (OLQs). This historic graduation marks not just the culmination of years of training but also a transformative step towards gender equality in India’s armed forces. With the commissioning of these 17 pioneering women, the NDA sets a precedent for inclusivity and paves the way for a more balanced and representative officer cadre in the defence services.