The first batch of 17 women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune on Friday, along with over 300 male cadets.
The cadets marched past the 'Antim Pag' at the Khetrpal Parade Ground of the tri-service training academy in Khadakwasla, widely known as the "cradle of leadership."
General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), the current Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), served as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade.
The first group of women cadets joined the NDA's 148th course in 2022, following a 2021 Supreme Court directive that allowed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to open the doors of the defence academy to female candidates.
Describing the occasion as "significant and historic," Singh lauded the achievement of the graduating women cadets. "Today is a uniquely significant day in the history of the academy as the first batch of female cadets pass out from the NDA. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment," he said.
These cadets, Singh said, are a living symbol of "Naari Shakti," representing not just women's development but women-led development.
"I envision a future, not far from now, where one of these young women may rise to the highest roles in the service they join," he added.
Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Negi commanded the parade of the 148th course.
On Thursday, ahead of the parade, a total of 339 cadets—including the 17 female cadets—were awarded degrees from Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Among them, 84 cadets earned BSc degrees, 85 received Computer Science degrees, 59 were awarded Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and 111 completed B.Tech degrees.
Cadet Lucky Kumar and Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha topped the Science and Computer Science streams, respectively, while Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the B.Tech stream. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh secured the top position in the Bachelor of Arts stream.
