Two aspiring officers from the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls (AFPI) in Mohali, Charanpreet Kaur and Mahak, have achieved remarkable success in their quest to join the Indian Air Force. Both cadets are set to embark on their pre-commission training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, scheduled for January 2025.
Charanpreet Kaur, hailing from Kurali in Mohali, has made her family proud by securing an impressive All India Rank of four among 192 candidates in the competitive selection process. She is the daughter of Harminder Singh Banwait, who works as a driver in a private company. Similarly, Mahak, the daughter of government teacher Anil Kumar Dahiya, has demonstrated her capabilities by ranking 23rd in the merit list. Mahak also resides in Mohali, sharing a community that celebrates the achievements of its young women.
In response to this notable achievement, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora extended his congratulations to the two young women. He emphasized that their accomplishments will serve as an inspiration for many other girls in Punjab who aspire to pursue careers in the armed forces, particularly as commissioned officers.
The AFPI, which was established with the vision of preparing young women for leadership roles in the defence sector, is actively working to create more pathways for girls to join the armed forces. The institute’s director, Maj Gen Jasbir Singh Sandhu (retd), highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at encouraging female enrollment in all branches of military service.
The landscape of defence education is changing with the National Defence Academy (NDA) now admitting girl cadets after the 10+2 level. In conjunction with this shift, a new training wing has been established specifically to equip girls for NDA entrance examinations. The efforts of AFPI have already borne fruit, as four of its cadets have successfully cleared the NDA entrance exam and are currently preparing for interviews with the Service Selection Board.
As the nation looks to increase female representation in the military, the success of Charanpreet Kaur and Mahak stands as a testament to the growing opportunities available for women in the Indian Armed Forces. Their journey exemplifies dedication and determination, and their future endeavors are sure to pave the way for many young women to follow in their footsteps.
