The Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, added a historic chapter to its more than nine-decade-old legacy as Sai Jadhav became the first woman officer cadet to successfully complete training at the prestigious academy and join the Indian Army.
Hailing from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Sai Jadhav was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army (TA) after completing an intensive six-month special training course at IMA. Her commissioning marks a landmark moment in the evolution of gender inclusion in the Indian Army’s officer training institutions.
First Woman Officer Cadet Trained at IMA
Sai Jadhav is the first female officer cadet in IMA’s history to undergo military training at the academy. Among the 16 Territorial Army officer cadets, she was the only woman.
While she did not participate in the main Passing Out Parade (POP) march-past alongside Regular Army cadets, she successfully completed the same rigorous military training modules prescribed under the Territorial Army’s special course at IMA.
Commissioned into Territorial Army as Lieutenant
During the commissioning ceremony, Sai’s parents pinned the rank stars on her shoulders, making the moment deeply personal and symbolic. Her achievement is rooted in a strong military legacy:
- Her father, Major Sandeep Jadhav, is a serving officer in the Territorial Army
- Her grandfather served in the British Army
This multi-generation tradition of service played a key role in shaping her decision to pursue a military career.
Rigorous Training and Selection Process
Sai Jadhav cleared the national-level competitive examination and SSB Interview, following which she joined IMA six months ago. Speaking about her journey, she described the training at IMA as physically and mentally demanding, but transformative.
According to her, the academy not only enhanced her leadership skills and endurance, but also instilled confidence and a strong sense of responsibility as an officer of the Indian Army.
Women to Join IMA Regular Training from June 2026
A significant development highlighted during the event was that from June 2026 onwards, women officer cadets will undergo regular training at IMA alongside male cadets and participate in the Passing Out Parade—marking another major milestone in the academy’s history.
This move will further institutionalise gender integration in officer training and reinforce equal opportunities in the armed forces.
Message to Young Women Aspirants
Sai Jadhav urged school and college-going girls to consider the Armed Forces as a career option, stating that it offers not just professional growth but also the highest honour of serving the nation.
Her journey stands as an inspiration for young women aspiring to join the Indian Army, proving that determination, discipline and courage can break long-standing barriers.
