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Historic Milestone: First batch of women cadets graduates from National Defence Academy; Watch Video
Babushahi Bureau
Pune, (Maharastra, May 30 2025: In a landmark moment for gender inclusion in the Indian Armed Forces, the first-ever batch of 17 female cadets graduated today from the prestigious National Defense Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, alongside 300 male cadets.
This historic event marked the passing out of NDA's first co-ed batch , setting a precedent for future generations.
The solemn 'Antim Pag' ceremony at the Khetrpal Parade Ground stood as a proud symbol of this transformative step, with Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Negi commanding the parade of the 148th NDA course .
The Passing Out Parade was reviewed by General VK Singh (Retd.) , former Army Chief and current Governor of Mizoram.A total of 339 cadets received their academic degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) .
Among them:
84 cadets were awarded BSc degrees
85 cadets received Computer Science degrees
59 cadets graduated with BA degrees
111 cadets were conferred B.Tech degrees
One of the standout achievers was Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh , who made history by topping the Bachelor of Arts stream.
Sharing her journey, she remarked, "The three-year training here was a mix of emotions. Initially, it was challenging to adapt, but the support from instructors and staff helped me find my footing."
Interestingly, Daksh continues a proud family tradition—her father is also an ex-NDA officer from the same squadron, making her accomplishment all the more special. This landmark passing-out parade not only signifies a new chapter in the NDA's illustrious history but also reaffirms India's commitment to empowering women in the armed forces.
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