In a momentous milestone for India’s military history, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, witnessed the graduation of its first-ever batch of women cadets, signalling a new era of gender inclusion in the armed forces.

Seventeen women successfully completed the NDA’s demanding three-year military and academic training programme, marching proudly alongside their male counterparts in the Passing Out Parade (PoP). Among them, Cadet Ritul Duhan made history by becoming the first woman appointed as a Battalion Cadet Captain.

President Droupadi Murmu, who reviewed the parade, hailed the occasion as “a truly historic day” and praised the cadets’ dedication and courage. “Your achievement is not just personal, but symbolic of a nation moving forward,” she said.

The inclusion of women in the NDA began in 2022 following a landmark Supreme Court order. Since then, 126 women have enrolled, with the Defence Ministry reporting a strong retention rate and active participation across all training modules.

The NDA has ensured a gender-neutral training environment, giving women equal opportunities in physical, academic, and leadership activities — a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated defence training space.

The successful graduation of this pioneering group sets a strong precedent for future generations of women in uniform and reflects a progressive step towards gender equality within India's armed forces.