Indian Military Academy Welcomes First Women Officer Cadets in Historic Move
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun has made history by enrolling its first-ever group of women officer cadets, a significant milestone in the Indian Army's pursuit of gender equality and inclusion. This marks the first time in its 92-year existence that the institution has opened its doors to female cadets.
From the inaugural group of 18 female cadets at the National Defence Academy (NDA), eight chose to join the Indian Army and began a year-long rigorous training at IMA in July 2025. This pioneering batch started their training journey at NDA in August 2022, following a landmark 2021 Supreme Court ruling that enabled women to sit for the NDA entrance exam and receive full training alongside male cadets.
To support this groundbreaking integration, the IMA implemented various structural and procedural changes. Women were provided with separate accommodation, yet they trained in integrated companies with male cadets, a system already in place at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, where women have been undergoing Short Service Commission training since the 1990s.
The academy also updated its internal language and culture by adopting gender-neutral terms such as "officer cadets" instead of "gentlemen cadets." Training routines were adjusted to incorporate best practices learned from OTA's extensive experience in female officer training.
Since opening its doors to women, the NDA has seen 126 female cadets join its ranks, with most originating from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The inclusion of women at IMA represents not only a symbolic achievement but also a strategic shift in the Indian Army's pathway for women's long-term careers, including opportunities for permanent commissions and leadership roles.
This initiative underscores the Indian Armed Forces' dedication to providing equal opportunities and serves as an inspiration for a new wave of women ready to take on leadership roles in national service.
