The women cadets joined the NDA in 2022, after a Supreme Court interim order allowed women to seek admission to the tri-services academy. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh secured the highest rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. Cadet Lucky Kumar, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha and Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the Science, Computer Science and B. Tech streams respectively.
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Ms. Daksh on Her Training Experience and Family Legacy
Ms Daksh told PTI, “The three year training here was a mix of emotions. At first, I needed some time to adapt, but with the help of instructors and staff, I gradually became accustomed and fully integrated into the academy. 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.”
Mr Kushwaha, whose father is an ex-serviceman, said the three years in the academy were challenging and taught him many life lessons which he will carry forward. Regarding the admission of women cadets, he said he witnessed the academy evolve from a male-dominated institution to an integrated one, adding, “We have seen the academy change and grow from the moon to the sun.”
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Mr Kumar told PTI that he learnt several things, from swimming to horse riding to hockey, at the academy. “Before coming here, I did not know how to play hockey but by the last term, I was the captain of the hockey team and we won a trophy,” he added.
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Degrees Conferred and Passing Out Parade Details
Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) conferred degrees to the cadets on Wednesday. Of these, JNU awarded 84 cadets BSc degrees, 85 received Computer Science degrees, 59 earned Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and 111 were granted B.Tech degrees.
The National Defence Academy (NDA) held the Passing Out Parade of its 148th course on Friday at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune. The Reviewing Officer for the parade is General Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Governor of Mizoram and former Army Chief. After passing out from NDA, cadets will proceed to their respective pre-commissioning academies: the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for the Army, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala for the Navy, and the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal for the Air Force.
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Women Cadets at NDA: Progress and Training
Since 2022, 126 women cadets have joined the NDA across six batches (148 to 153), with five resignations reported so far. While the NDA maintains largely gender-neutral training, it adapted certain drills to account for physiological differences.