A fresh chapter was added to the country's military history as cadets from the first women's batch groomed at the National Defence Academy (NDA) finally donned the uniform of commissioned officers for the very first time. Saturday's passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) marked that milestone, with President Droupadi Murmu reviewing the parade of the 158th Regular Course and the 141st Technical Graduate Course.
Two Services, One Historic Moment
This year's parade was far more than a ceremony — it was the payoff of a long wait. From the IMA, 9 cadets of the first women's batch from the NDA stepped into the Indian Army as officers. At the same time, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, 5 women cadets from the very same batch are receiving their commission in the Indian Air Force. This is the first occasion on which women cadets trained at the NDA have been commissioned into both the Army and the Air Force.
In all, 515 cadets passed out of the IMA this year, a figure that included 34 foreign cadets drawn from 16 friendly nations. Having cleared every test of rigorous military training, they are now ready to take up a range of military duties. Amid them, the spotlight stayed firmly on the 9 women cadets who completed their training while meeting exactly the same standards as their male counterparts.
The Ruling That Opened the Door
For a long time, the gates of the NDA remained shut to women. That changed in June 2022, when a landmark Supreme Court verdict allowed women to seek admission to the NDA as well. That single decision cleared the path for greater participation of women in the armed forces, and its concrete result is now on full display before the nation.
History at the Air Force Parade Too
The Indian Air Force's 217th Course Parade was part of the same occasion. A total of 231 flight cadets completed their pre-commissioning training there, comprising 194 men and 37 women cadets. Among these 37 women are the 5 cadets from the NDA's first women's batch who are now set to become Air Force officers.
The President's Praise and a Show in the Skies
While reviewing the parade, President Droupadi Murmu warmly commended the cadets for their discipline, dedication and training. The event proved once again that when it comes to demanding military drills and challenging responsibilities, women are every bit as capable as men.
The ceremony closed with a grand combined graduation parade and a spectacular aerial display. The roar of Sukhoi fighter jets, the flying of the Sarang helicopter display team and the daring stunts of the celebrated Surya Kiran aerobatic team lifted the spirits of the gathered spectators. With the commissioning of the NDA's first women's batch, the Indian armed forces have crossed a significant milestone on the road to gender equality and women's empowerment.
