In a moment etched in history, the National Defence Academy (NDA) witnessed the grand Passing Out Parade (POP) of its 148th course today, with the first-ever batch of 17 women cadets marching shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. A total of 338 cadets took part in the ceremonial parade held at the iconic Khetrapal Ground, against the majestic backdrop of the Sahyadri hills.
The parade was reviewed by General V. K. Singh (Retd), former Chief of the Army Staff and current Governor of Mizoram, who congratulated the cadets for their perseverance and excellence. He awarded medals to the top-performing cadets of the batch:
- President’s Gold Medal: BCA Prince Raj (Charlie Squadron)
- President’s Silver Medal: ACC Udayveer Singh Negi (Golf Squadron)
- President’s Bronze Medal: BCC Tejas Bhat (November Squadron)
- Chiefs of Staff Banner: Golf Squadron
The parade concluded with the emotional tune of Auld Lang Syne, symbolizing the cadets’ farewell to their alma mater.
A day earlier, on May 29, the Convocation Ceremony was held at NDA, where 339 cadets, including 17 women, were awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Among the academic achievers was Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh, who topped the Arts stream, becoming the first woman cadet to achieve this distinction at NDA.
This Passing Out Parade was especially significant as it marked the culmination of a landmark journey that began in August 2021, when the Supreme Court paved the way for women to be admitted into the NDA. The first batch of women cadets joined the academy in July-August 2022 as part of this 148th course, ushering in a new era of gender inclusivity in India’s premier tri-services military training institution.
After completing their rigorous three-year training at NDA, the cadets will now move to their respective service academies for specialized pre-commissioning training:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – for Army cadets
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – for Navy cadets
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal – for Air Force cadets
The 148th POP stands not just as a celebration of excellence but as a defining moment in the transformation of India’s military leadership landscape.
