In a landmark moment for the Indian Armed Forces, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune celebrated the graduation of its first batch of 17 women cadets on May 30, 2025. These trailblazing women completed three years of rigorous military and academic training, joining 336 male counterparts in the 148th course Passing Out Parade.
The ceremony, reviewed by former Army Chief and Mizoram Governor General V.K. Singh, featured a unified march where women cadets stood shoulder to shoulder with male cadets. Cadet Ritul Duhan made history as the first Battalion Cadet Captain from the women’s batch, while Cadet Shriti Daksh topped the arts stream, highlighting the excellence of these pioneering women.
Parents expressed immense pride, noting the transformation in their daughters’ confidence and discipline. NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Gurucharan Singh emphasized the complete integration of women cadets into all aspects of training, fostering a gender-neutral environment.
