For the first time in its 70-year history, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, has seen a batch of 17 women cadets graduate alongside their male counterparts. This proud moment unfolded on May 30, 2025, during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 148th course—a milestone that marks a new era of inclusivity and empowerment in India’s armed forces. 

Breaking Barriers: Women at the NDA (National Defence Academy)

The journey of these 17 pioneering women began in 2022, after a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2021 allowed women to apply for the NDA through the UPSC exam. This was the first time since the NDA’s establishment in 1954 that women were admitted to the academy, which has long been known as the “cradle of leadership” for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

Their training was as rigorous as that of their male peers—three years filled with academic challenges, physical drills, and leadership lessons. The culmination was the grand parade at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground, where all 336 graduating cadets, including the 17 women, marched past the ‘Antim Pag’ (Final Step), symbolizing their readiness to serve the nation. 

Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead

The event was attended by proud families, dignitaries, and serving and retired officers. General VK Singh (Retd.), Governor of Mizoram and former Army Chief, reviewed the parade and called the occasion a “historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment.” He praised the women cadets as symbols of “Naari Shakti”—not just women’s development, but women-led development.

Among the graduates, Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh stood out by topping the Bachelor of Arts stream, continuing her family’s NDA legacy. In total, 339 cadets received degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University, including BSc, Computer Science, BA, and B.Tech degrees. 

This passing out parade is more than just a ceremony—it’s a statement that the NDA, and India’s armed forces, are committed to giving women equal opportunities to lead and serve. As these 17 trailblazers move on to further training and eventually become commissioned officers, they pave the way for many more young women to follow in their footsteps.

The Spring Term 2025 POP will be remembered as a proud testament to the NDA’s evolving legacy—one that now includes the courage, strength, and determination of its first women graduates.