17 NDA Cadets Make History, Set To Graduate From First Women's Batch

National Defence Academy is gearing up for a historic moment as 17 cadets from the Pune-based institute's first women's batch are soon set to graduate. The passing out parade of the 148th course will take place on May 30, according to a report in the Hindustan Times. Of the 17 cadets, nine will join the Army, three will join the Navy, and five will join the Air Force. They will graduate alongside about 300 male cadets.

The Supreme Court of India had ruled in August 2021 that the NDA should prepare a directive about the eligibility of women to appear for the entrance exam. Then-President Ram Nath Kovind, while addressing the budget session in Parliament, announced that the first batch of women cadets would enter the academy in June 2022.

History being made

Several women cadets spoke to the media about their three-year journey at the National Defence Academy. Cadet Harsimran Kaur from Punjab, who will join the Indian Naval Academy, told Dainik Bhaskar. “I have a deep association with the armed forces. My father retired as a havildar in the Indian Army. My grandfather also served... Being from the first batch of women cadets, we have to create high standards for the junior cadets. I want to set a benchmark that they can follow."

Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh, whose father is also a former NDA officer, said that being at the institution is in her blood. "NDA gave me many opportunities. I built a strong bond with fellow cadets... Initially, we were placed in the respective squadrons with male cadets. Our training was almost similar. We did everything shoulder to shoulder for all three years. The training was mentally and physically tough, but we did it through physical training and constant practice," she told Dainik Bhaskar.

Gender-neutral training

Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, told Parliament in March 2025 that 126 women cadets have joined the establishment since 2022. The first NDA exam open to women was conducted in November 2021. Of the total 570,000 applications, 178,000 were from women. Of these, 1,002 women cleared the written exam. Eventually, 17 women candidates were declared successful.

In June 2022, NDA stated that, akin to their male counterparts, girls of the age group 16 years six months to 19 years would undergo military training for three years after they clear the UPSC NDA written examination, Services Selection Board interviews and medicals. “Owing to physiological differences between male and female cadets, the aspect of Physical Training may entail certain changes in the training of girl cadets,” they said in a press release.