Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka: Trailblazing Journey of the First Female NDA Topper into the Indian Army

Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka, who achieved the highest rank among women in the inaugural National Defence Academy entrance exam open to female candidates, has been officially commissioned into the Indian Army. She received her stars at the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on June 13, 2026.

This commissioning signifies the culmination of a rigorous four-year military training regime that commenced at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and concluded at the Indian Military Academy. Lieutenant Dhaka is among the pioneering women to follow the traditional NDA-to-IMA training sequence, earning a permanent commission in the Army.

From her upbringing in military cantonments to becoming an officer, her journey epitomizes determination, academic excellence, and family inspiration, reflecting the increasing role of women in the leadership ranks of the Indian Armed Forces.

Raised in a Family with a Tradition of Military Service

Shanan Dhaka hails from Sundana village in Haryana’s Rohtak district and was raised in a family with a long-standing association with the Indian Army.

Her grandfather, retired Subedar Chanderbhan Dhaka, was the first in the family to don the uniform, a tradition continued by her father, Vijay Kumar Dhaka, who retired as a Naib Subedar from the Army Service Corps.

Growing up in Army cantonments in places like Roorkee, Delhi, Chandimandir, and Chandigarh, Shanan became acquainted with military life early on. The disciplined lifestyle, respect associated with the uniform, and sense of duty displayed by military personnel had a lasting impact on her.

Her elder sister also pursued a career linked to the Armed Forces, serving in the Military Nursing Service. The family’s military connections became a significant motivation for Shanan as she contemplated her future career.

Her parents allowed their daughters the freedom and support to independently pursue their ambitions, encouraging them to compete for challenging professional opportunities.

An Academically Outstanding Student

Before achieving prominence in the first women’s NDA examination, Shanan had already established a strong academic record.

She attended Army Public Schools in various cities, including Roorkee, Jaipur, and Chandimandir. Despite the frequent relocations, she consistently maintained high academic performance.

Shanan reportedly achieved 97.4 percent in Class 10 and 98.2 percent in Class 12, demonstrating the focus and adaptability that would be crucial during her military training.

After school, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi. Traditionally, joining the Army as a commissioned officer would have required her to complete her graduation and then take the Combined Defence Services examination.

However, a significant legal development soon provided a new opportunity.

Supreme Court Decision Opened NDA to Women

In 2021, the doors of the National Defence Academy were opened to women following a Supreme Court directive. This decision allowed women to enter the tri-services academy directly after Class 12, undergoing the same foundational military training as male cadets.

For Shanan, this announcement altered her career trajectory. Instead of waiting to graduate and compete through the CDS examination, she seized the opportunity to apply for the NDA exam at the earliest chance.

Her upbringing in cantonment areas and the military service history of her family provided her with a deep understanding of Army life. The new NDA route enabled her to start officer training much earlier, pursuing a profession she had long admired.

She sat for the examination on November 14, 2021. The competition was intense, with more than 5.75 lakh applicants, including approximately 1.77 lakh women, registering for the exam.

Shanan excelled, securing an All India Rank of 10 in the overall merit list and first among women candidates.

Her results not only made her the topper of the first women’s NDA entrance examination but also established her as one of the most recognized members of the inaugural batch.

Selected for the Historic First Batch of Women at NDA

Following the written exam, Service Selection Board process, medical assessment, and final merit list, Shanan was chosen to join the National Defence Academy.

She became part of the first batch of 19 women cadets admitted to the academy in June 2022. Of these, 10 were selected for the Indian Army, with others joining the Navy and Air Force.

Their induction marked a significant transformation in the institution’s history, as for the first time, women cadets trained alongside their male counterparts as part of the regular course.

The training evaluated cadets in academics, physical fitness, military skills, outdoor exercises, drill, leadership, and endurance. The women cadets were expected to meet the rigorous standards required for developing future officers of the Armed Forces.

For Shanan, joining NDA was not just a personal milestone. She was aware that the performance of the first batch would influence the experiences and expectations of subsequent women cadets.

Three Years of Demanding Training at Khadakwasla

Shanan joined the 148th NDA Course, spending three years in joint training at the tri-services academy in Khadakwasla.

The NDA training regimen is designed to build mental resilience, physical stamina, teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Cadets navigate demanding academic schedules alongside drill, sports, field activities, camps, and military instruction.

Transitioning from academic success to thriving in a structured military environment required significant adjustment. Her familiarity with cantonment life and her clear determination to serve in the Army helped her maintain focus throughout the program.

Together with other pioneering women cadets, she completed the broad training framework followed by her course. Their progress was closely observed as they were the first generation of women entering the Armed Forces through NDA.

After successfully completing the three-year program, Shanan graduated from NDA during the Passing Out Parade on May 30, 2025.

The parade marked the conclusion of her foundational tri-services training but not the end of her journey to commissioning.

Final Phase of Training at the Indian Military Academy

As an Army cadet, Shanan proceeded to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun for the final phase of her pre-commission training.

At IMA, the focus shifted to preparing cadets for leadership roles within the Indian Army, including tactical instruction, field exercises, weapon handling, physical conditioning, military administration, and command abilities development.

The academy prepares officer cadets to lead soldiers in challenging conditions, making decisions with significant operational and human implications. The final year demanded sustained physical effort, professional learning, and emotional resilience.

Shanan and the other women cadets from the first NDA batch trained as part of the IMA regular course. Their presence marked another milestone, as they became the first women to complete the NDA-to-IMA pathway followed by generations of Army officers.

Commissioned During the 158th IMA Passing Out Parade

Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka was commissioned during the 158th Regular Course's Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy on June 13, 2026.

President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the parade, which was attended by senior military officers, instructors, and family members of the cadets.

The ceremony witnessed hundreds of officer cadets completing their training to become commissioned officers, including nine women from the first NDA batch who completed their IMA training.

Their commissioning was historically significant as they were among the first women officers to emerge from the NDA system, completing the Army’s regular pre-commissioning training route.

After marching past the iconic Chetwode Building and completing the traditional final step, the cadets formally joined the officer cadre of the Indian Army.

The parade was followed by the pipping ceremony, where family members placed the lieutenant's rank insignia on the shoulders of the newly commissioned officers.

For the Dhaka family, this moment represented the continuation of a military tradition initiated by Shanan’s grandfather and carried forward by her father, signifying a shift from earlier generations serving as soldiers to Shanan entering as a commissioned officer.

Posted to the Challenging Eastern Ladakh Region

Following her commissioning, Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka has reportedly been assigned to eastern Ladakh, one of the country’s most strategically vital and physically demanding regions.

Military personnel in this area must operate under high-altitude conditions with low oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, and challenging terrain, necessitating physical fitness, professional competence, and strong mental resilience.

For a newly commissioned officer, this posting presents an opportunity to learn the responsibilities of leading troops in a challenging operational environment.

Her transition from cadet to officer, entrusted with the welfare and leadership of soldiers, marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Inspired by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Lieutenant Dhaka has expressed admiration for former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, citing his journey, simplicity, dedication, and ability to achieve distinction while staying grounded as inspiring.

Her approach to success emphasizes preparation, self-belief, and sustained hard work. Despite being the top-ranked woman in the first NDA examination, she stresses that joining the Armed Forces should be driven by genuine commitment rather than the allure of rank or authority.

She advises young aspirants to comprehend the demands of military service before choosing it as a career, as it requires passion, perseverance, and a readiness to work under challenging circumstances.

Her message to young individuals is to dream ambitiously while being prepared to invest the effort required to achieve those dreams.

A Proud Moment for the Dhaka Family

Shanan’s commissioning was an emotional and proud moment for her parents. Her father viewed her achievement as a continuation of the family’s tradition of national service.

For him, witnessing his daughter receive her lieutenant’s stars at IMA was particularly meaningful, given the military legacy that began with Shanan’s grandfather and continued through multiple generations.

The family also hopes that more girls will consider the Armed Forces as a career choice, seeing it as an opportunity to lead, serve the nation, and build a life of responsibility and purpose.

Shanan’s success underscores the importance of family support in enabling women to enter traditionally male-dominated professions.

A Symbol of Expanding Opportunities for Women

Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka’s journey goes beyond excelling in an entrance exam. She represents a generation of women entering an institution undergoing historic change, bearing the responsibility of proving themselves at every stage of training.

From topping the NDA examination among women candidates to completing three years of training at Khadakwasla and another year at IMA, her achievements required consistent performance over several years.

Her commissioning signifies that women are increasingly given access to military training pathways that prepare officers for long-term careers and leadership roles.

The first women NDA cadets entered the academy when the decision was still seen as experimental. Their graduation and commissioning have transformed that perception into reality.

Future batches of women cadets will follow a path made easier by the achievements and experiences of pioneers like Lieutenant Dhaka.

From Cantonment Childhood to a Life in Uniform

As a child, Shanan witnessed Army life within cantonment communities, understanding the respect and sacrifices associated with military service.

Years later, she returned not as the daughter or granddaughter of a soldier but as a commissioned officer in her own right.

Her transformation from a high-achieving student to the top woman in the NDA exam and finally an Indian Army officer serves as an inspiring example for defense aspirants throughout the country.

Lieutenant Shanan Dhaka now embarks on the most crucial phase of her journey—leading soldiers and serving the nation in uniform. Her accomplishments have already secured her a place in the history of women’s entry into NDA, but her career as an Army officer is just beginning.