Khadakwasla, 18th November 2023: In a historic milestone, the first batch of female cadets, currently in their second year of a three-year military-cum-academic training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla near Pune, is set to march alongside their male counterparts at the passing-out parade of the academy’s 145th course on November 30. President Droupadi Murmu will preside as the chief guest for the momentous occasion.

While the girl cadets participated in the autumn and winter Passing-out Parades (PoPs) during the first two terms of their initial year, they were not part of the marching contingent until their second year. A senior NDA officer stated, “It will be a historic moment for the academy on its Khetarpal ground. At least 20 girl cadets will participate, and they are diligently practicing in the rehearsal rounds.”

The inaugural group of women cadets at NDA comprises 19 individuals, with 10 designated for the Army, six for the Air Force, and three for the Navy. They belong to the 148th course and are scheduled to graduate in May 2025. Since June 2022, the majority of military training activities have been conducted in a gender-neutral manner.

While the training methodology aligns with other pre-commissioning academies like the Officers Training Academy Chennai, Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, and Air Force Academy Hyderabad, NDA’s girl cadets, joining after completing their Std XII, bring a unique perspective.

The female cadets will also actively participate in manning the mast, providing commentary, and guiding guests during the parade. In June, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, the NDA commandant, expressed the Navy’s intent to increase the intake of female cadets from three to 12.