Pune: In a momentous stride towards gender inclusivity in India’s defence forces, the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday witnessed a historic event as its first-ever cohort of women cadets successfully passed out.
The 148th passing out parade, held at the prestigious NDA’s Khadakwasla campus, was graced by Mizoram Governor and former Army Chief, General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd). He hailed the occasion as “significant and historic,” underscoring its profound impact on the nation’s journey towards greater empowerment.
Seventeen women cadets officially received their graduation certificates from the NDA, marking a substantial leap forward in integrating women into the armed forces. Previously, the NDA exclusively trained male cadets for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This landmark development is a direct consequence of a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors of the academy to women, following which the government has progressively broadened opportunities for women in various combat and leadership roles within the armed forces. The event drew a considerable congregation of families, military officials, and dignitaries from across India, all of whom acknowledged this as a long-awaited evolution in India’s defence training institutions.
Concurrently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking at the flag-in ceremony of the Indian Navy sailing vessel INSV Tarini in Goa, highlighted the increasingly pivotal role of women in military operations. He specifically lauded their contributions to Operation Sindoor, a recent cross-border military strike against terrorist camps. “Women pilots and other female soldiers played a crucial role in the effective action taken by India against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor,” Singh stated, acknowledging their bravery and strategic input.
Singh also commended Lt Commanders Dilna K and Roopa, two Navy officers who recently completed a global circumnavigation on the INSV Tarini as part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission. Their voyage holds the distinction of being the first double-handed global sailing expedition undertaken by Indian women. “From the heights of Siachen to the depths of the ocean, Indian women are fulfilling many responsibilities, which has further bolstered the security circle of the country,” Singh affirmed, reiterating the government’s commitment to empowering women in defence. He concluded by reiterating the opening of Sainik Schools for girls and the successful graduation of these 17 women from the National Defence Academy.
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