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Women Cadets Graduate From NDA
In a historic milestone for the Indian Armed Forces, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune celebrated the graduation of its 148 course on May 29, 2025. This convocation was particularly significant as it marked the first time women cadets completed the rigorous training program alongside their male counterparts. Seventeen pioneering women cadets graduated, symbolizing a transformative step towards gender inclusivity in India’s premier military institution.
A Landmark Convocation
The convocation ceremony, held at NDA’s Habibullah Hall, saw a total of 339 cadets receiving degrees and course completion certificates from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The graduates included 84 cadets in the Science stream, 85 in Computer Science, 59 in Arts, and 111 Navy and Air Force cadets from the B.Tech stream, who received three-year course completion certificates. These B.Tech cadets will be conferred with degrees after completing an additional year of training at their respective pre-commissioning academies— the Indian Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy.
Trailblazing Achievements
Among the standout graduates was Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh, one of the first women cadets, who topped the Arts stream academically. Her achievement not only underscores her personal dedication but also sets a precedent for future women aspirants.
Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah led the Computer Science stream, while Cadet Lucky Kumar topped the Science stream. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi secured the highest position in the BTech stream.
Reflections from the Cadets
Reflecting on the journey, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah remarked, “We are the course that saw the academy changing. From being a male-dominated academy to becoming an integrated one. I can say fully integrated now, as women cadets are living in the same squadrons as the male cadets.”
Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh shared her feelings about becoming the first female academic topper: “It is exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. But I also feel happy having set a path for the junior cadets to follow. And I dedicate this achievement to my juniors.”
A New Chapter in Military History
The inclusion and success of women in the NDA’s 148th course signify a progressive shift in the Indian military’s approach to gender roles. This historic event not only paves the way for greater female participation in defense services but also reinforces the commitment to equality and excellence within the armed forces.
As these 17 trailblazing women step into their roles as officers, they carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation moving towards a more inclusive future.
Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Poonam Tandon, Vice-Chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, lauded the women cadets as “torchbearers of change, courage, and capability.” She emphasized that their accomplishments are a breakthrough for countless young women across India, proving that excellence and service know no gender.
