A Young Woman Who Created History
When the Supreme Court allowed women to appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination in 2021, it opened a new chapter in the history of the Indian Armed Forces. Thousands of young girls across the country suddenly had an opportunity that had never existed before.
Among them was Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka from Panchkula, Haryana. What started as a dream of becoming a civil servant eventually turned into a historic military career. Today, she has become one of the first women trained through the NDA route to be commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army. Even more remarkably, she was the first woman to top the NDA entrance examination, securing the highest rank among female candidates in the very first batch that included women.
A Dream That Changed Overnight
Interestingly, joining the Armed Forces was not Shanan’s original plan.
She initially wanted to prepare for the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. However, when the Supreme Court ruled that women could appear for the NDA examination, she immediately recognised the opportunity. Without wasting time, she decided to prepare for the exam and give herself a chance to wear the uniform.
Her decision changed her life forever.
Topping the First NDA Examination for Women
The NDA examination conducted after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment attracted thousands of female candidates from across India.
Despite the intense competition, Shanan emerged as the top-ranked woman candidate in the examination. She also secured an impressive overall merit position among all candidates, proving that determination and hard work matter far more than stereotypes.
Her achievement inspired countless young girls who had started dreaming of joining the Armed Forces.
A Family That Inspired Her
Shanan comes from a family with a strong military background.
Her grandfather served as a Subedar in the Indian Army, while her father retired as a Naib Subedar from the Army Service Corps. Growing up in cantonment areas, she witnessed military life closely and admired the respect, discipline, and honour associated with Army officers.
These early experiences played a significant role in shaping her ambition to serve the nation.
Three Years That Transformed Her
After clearing the NDA examination and the Services Selection Board (SSB), Shanan joined the National Defence Academy in 2022 as part of the historic first batch of women cadets.
Life at NDA was demanding. Along with physical training, drill, academics, field exercises, sports, and leadership development, the cadets had to adapt to the same rigorous standards expected of every future officer.
The three-year training programme transformed young students into confident military leaders ready to take on greater responsibilities.
The Final Step Towards Commissioning
After graduating from the National Defence Academy in 2025, Shanan proceeded to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for her pre-commission training.
On 13 June 2026, she marched across the historic Drill Square during the 158th Passing Out Parade and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army. She was among the first batch of women NDA cadets to receive a permanent commission into the Army, making the occasion a landmark moment in Indian military history.
