Historic Feat

NDA’s first-ever batch of 17 Women Cadets, who passed out recently

On a warm May morning at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, in Pune, the sun rose not just over another ceremonial parade, but over history in the making. The rhythmic thump of boots echoed across the Khetarpal Parade Ground as cadets stood tall, their uniforms crisp, their eyes steeled with pride and promise. But, among the familiar discipline of formation and where there were commands of tradition, something extraordinary stood out—first 17 women NDA graduates, marching shoulder to shoulder with their male peers, imprinting their names into the history of the Indian Armed Forces

It wasn’t just a parade, it was a symbol of transformation, leadership and empowerment of women in the society. On 30 May, 2025, the National Defence Academy (NDA), India’s first ever triservice institution and being the beginning of military leadership, witnessed its prime batch of 17 women cadets pass out—a seven decades in the making.

These women cadets came from cities and small towns, some from military lineages, while others came with no connection to the Armed Forces, except a blazing desire to serve the nation. Their stories are of resilience, of introverts who found command voices, while bonding by the academy’s relentless discipline, and a shared vision to lead.

The Indian defence services has mostly been seen as a male-dominated and driven field, where soldiers are martyred for the nation while serving the country. Amid this, the 17 women cadets had Their passing out parade, along with around 319 men cadets—they made a significant perception change in the history of military training.

SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO LED THE WAY

Hailing from a non-military background, Cadet Ritul Duhan, not only completed training but was also appointed as the Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC)—a first for a woman cadet. Ritul has been a national-level basketball player and was also a state-level debater. She was in her first year of engineering when she joined the NDA. Her home state motivated her to join the forces. Reflecting on her responsibilities, she said, “We’re not just completing training; we are paving the way for future leadership and inspiring younger cadets.”

-Ritul Duhan

Selected as Division Cadet Captain (DCC), Cadet Ishita Sangwan, comes from a small village in Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana, and has completed her NDA training. She scored 90% in class 10th and 90.60% in class 12th. “I come from a non-military background, I didn’t think twice before applying. Before I joined the academy, I was an introvert but now my friends feel like family,” she said sharing her views.

-Ishita Sangwan

Another DCC, Harsimran Kaur, from Punjab, chose the Navy as she carried the legacy of her father and grandfather, who served in the Army. Recalling her experiences, she said, “There is a saying that the academy first breaks you and then makes you rigourous. Our schedules were so tight, at times overwhelming, but the academy teaches you how to balance physical and academic demands.”

-Harsimran Kaur

Daughter of a retired Air Force helicopter pilot, Shriti Daksh, secured the highest marks in the arts stream, becoming the first woman to do so since the NDA began inducting women cadets in 2021. Speaking about the achievement, she said, “Striking a balance between military training and academics was a tough challenge for me, but I managed to maintain that balance from the first term to the last. This dedication helped me excel academically.”

-Shriti Daksh

"Initially, women cadets were housed separately. However today, after careful review they train together, play together and participate in camps, alongside male counterparts. We now have the experience and insight to ensure future training yields even better outcomes"

- Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, NDA Commandant

Commanded with the precision of Academy Cadet Captain (ACC) Udayveer Singh Negi, and overseen by former army chief and current Governor of Mizoram (Dr) V.K. Singh as Reviewing Officer, the 148th Course’s Passing Out Parade wasn’t just a ceremony, it was the declaration of a new milestone. The NDA now is no longer just an elite training ground for men in uniform, but also a stage for women who carry the same steadiness in their stride. These women didn’t just graduate, they opened the gates for generations to come, redefining what leadership in uniform looks like in the 21st century India.

The badge holders

The 336 graduating cadets were conferred degrees by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi: 84 in BSc, 85 in Computer Science, 59 in BA, 111 in B.Tech (Naval or Air Force cadets would later finalise their engineering at service academies). The President’s Gold Medal was awarded to Battalion Cadet Adjuntant Prince Raj, the Silver Medal to ACC Udayveer Singh Negi, and the Bronze Medal to BCC Tejas Bhatt, for securing the top three positions in merit.

TRACING THE ROOTS

This milestone traces its roots to August 2021, when the Supreme Court issued an interim order to the Ministry of Defence to permit women to sit for the NDA and Naval Academy entrance exams. This decision cracked the NDA’s glass ceiling, opening over 400 vacancies, which included 37 of them reserved for women (10 Army,12 Navy, 6 Air Force, 9 via Naval Academy entry), as per UPSC recruitment protocols.

The academy’s six-term, three-year training included high-intensity physical training, fieldcraft, drills, academic coursework aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) priorities, and rigourous assessments of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). The inclusion of women cadets demanded adaptations like separate washrooms and living quarters, while the curriculum remained uncompromised.

Out of the 1,77,654 female applicants in 2021, only 19 vacancies in August 2022, formed the first co-ed intake. This move completely transformed the NDA from its male-oriented leadership into a gender-equal base for talent.

Academy of change

Engineers and planners at NDA anticipated integration needs—they upgraded residential blocks, walkways, washrooms and squadron facilities prior to the arrival of women cadets. “Initially, women cadets were housed separately. However today, after careful review they train together, play together and participate in camps, alongside men counterparts. We now have the experience and insight to ensure future training yields with better outcomes,” informed Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, NDA Commandant.

Narrative of evolution

The NDA’s triumphant inclusion of women offers a narrative of evolution through integration, persistently upheld standards, and a genuine culture change anchored in training, policy and infrastructure. These women cadets and their peers represent more than a moment. They signal a movement towards the organisation’s military, corporate and civic initiatives, which will be judged not by tradition, but by representation. The NDA’s 148th Course offers a parable: "Through policy, preparation and empowerment, institutions can transform not just in composition, but in capability and integrity".

As they march towards their new journey, their steps echo in country’s boardrooms, startups and policymaker gatherings, with a resounding truth "Inclusion is sustainable only when built on equity, excellence and ambition".

These 17 women cadets are more than trailblazers, they are proof that leadership knows no gender, and that excellence in academy or enterprise demands unity, rigour, and inclusivity in equal measure. Their next parade will be under different colours. But, their legacy? That loud start-stop drumbeat will be echoed in every success parade and beyond.