History was created on Friday, 30 May, with the first batch of 17 women cadets, graduating from the National Defence Academy (NDA), alongside over 300 male counterparts. This marked the first co-educational (co-ed) batch to march out of the defence academy.
The cadets went past the ‘Antim Pag’ at the Khetrpal Parade Ground of the tri-service training academy in Khadakwasla, widely known as the “cradle of leadership”. Academy Cadet Captain, Udayveer Negi, commanded the parade of the 148th course. The first batch of women cadets who joined the National Defence Academy's 148th course in 2022, following the Supreme Court's 2021 directions, permitting female admissions to the prestigious tri-services institution, have now marked a milestone in their journey.
Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh emerged as the top performer in the Bachelor of Arts stream. In other streams, Cadet Lucky Kumar led the Science stream, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha secured the top position in Computer Science, and Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi ranked first in the B.Tech stream.
Carrying the legacy of my father, says NDA's top performer -
Shriti Daksh talking to the media stated, "The three year training here was a mix of emotions. Initially, it took some time to assimilate but gradually I got accustomed and assimilated into the academy with the help of instructors, staff. My father is also ex-NDA and from the Hunter Squadron. I am also from the same squadron. So I am carrying forward the legacy of my family."
Prince Kushwaha, whose father is an ex-serviceman, said that his three years at the academy were demanding and had imparted numerous life lessons that his son would carry with him into the future. Reflecting on the inclusion of women cadets, he noted that he had witnessed the transformation of the academy from a male-dominated institution to a more integrated and inclusive one.
"We are the ones who have who have seen the academy changing and evolving from the moon to sun," he stated.
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Women inevitable symbol of “Naari Shakti”: Gen V K Singh
Gen V K Singh, former Army Chief and current governor of Mizoram, was the reviewing officer of the Passing Out Parade.
“Today is also a uniquely significant day in the history of the academy as the first batch of female cadets pass out from the NDA. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment,” Gen Singh said on the occasion.
These young women are the inevitable symbol of “Naari Shakti”, embodying not just women’s development but women-led development. I envision a future, not far from now, that one of these young women may rise to the highest of roles of the service they go to," he said.
Convocation held on May 29
The NDA cadets of 148th course were awarded degrees from the Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Among them, 84 cadets received Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees, 85 were awarded degrees in Computer Science, 59 earned Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and 111 cadets were conferred Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
Since 2022, a total of 126 women cadets have joined the NDA across six batches (148 to 153), with five resignations reported to date.
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