(by our correspondent)
In a landmark achievement for gender inclusion in the Indian armed forces, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of 17 female cadets on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
The convocation, marking the 148th NDA course, saw degrees awarded to 339 cadets. The academy, which serves as the premier training institute for future officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, held the ceremony amid much national pride.
Among the standout achievers was Division Cadet Shriti Daksh, who made history by receiving the Silver Medal and the Chief of Air Staff Trophy for securing the top rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. Other notable recipients included Lucky Kumar, who won the Chief of Army Staff Trophy for his performance in the B.Sc. stream, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Kushwaha, who topped the Computer Science stream and earned the Chief of Naval Staff Trophy, and Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi, who led the B.Tech. stream.
Poonam Tandon, Vice-Chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University and the chief guest for the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the moment. “Service has no gender and your presence is historic,” she remarked, applauding the accomplishments of the female cadets.
NDA Commandant Vice-Admiral Gurcharan Singh echoed this sentiment, describing the female cadets as symbols of “hope.” He encouraged the graduates to view their future success in service as a form of “gurudakshina” to the academy.
The inclusion of women in the NDA followed a landmark 2021 Supreme Court ruling, after which the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opened its doors to female applicants for the NDA entrance examination. Degrees conferred during the convocation included B.A., B.Sc., and B.Tech., awarded in partnership with Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
The passing out parade for the 148th course is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 30.