Meet the Bold 17: NDA’s First Women Cadets Ready to Lead the Forces

On May 30, 2025, history will be etched into the proud legacy of the National Defence Academy (NDA) as 17 courageous women cadets graduate alongside 300 male cadets — marking the first-ever co-ed passing out parade at the prestigious tri-services military academy.

This historic moment is the result of a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2021, which opened the NDA’s gates to women for the first time in its 75-year history. The first entrance exam was conducted later that year, with 1.78 lakh women among 5.7 lakh applicants. Out of these, only 17 made it through the grueling selection process — determined to break barriers and create history.

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These young pioneers, representing the Army (9), Navy (3), and Air Force (5), have since undergone three rigorous years of military, academic, and physical training shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. Their journey has not only transformed them individually but has redefined what leadership, discipline, and equality mean at the nation’s premier defence training ground.

Among them is Cadet Ishita Sharma from Uttarakhand — a civilian-background candidate who was pursuing economics when opportunity knocked. Today, she stands tall as the Division Cadet Captain, leading by example with academic brilliance and strong leadership. “We crossed many boundaries,” she says. “Our course is filled with merit holders, academic toppers, and achievers in physical training.”

Her thoughts are echoed by Cadet Harsimran Kaur from Punjab, who proudly represents a family of soldiers. From marching into an all-male bastion to adapting with fingerprint-locked facilities and evolving infrastructure, she reflects, “We never imagined we’d walk through these gates. But we did — and we are stronger for it.”

Cadet Shriti Daksh, daughter of a retired Wing Commander, shares how the NDA experience brought her closer to her father’s legacy. “My father dropped me off at the academy with pride. Now I’ll march on the parade ground just like he once did.”

These women weren’t just trained — they were reshaped into leaders. Cadets like Ritul Duhan, who became the first woman Battalion Cadet Captain, understand the weight of this historic step. “We’re not just passing out — we’re setting benchmarks for generations to follow.”

From horse-riding and swimming to handling weapons, tactics, and leadership drills, these cadets faced it all with determination. While physical standards were adjusted to reflect biological differences, the core values of discipline, courage, and character remained unaltered.

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Their journey wasn’t just about survival; it was about thriving under pressure, forging unbreakable bonds, and breaking mental barriers. Ishita summed it up best: “The academy breaks you — and then rebuilds you. What emerges is a leader.”

As they prepare to step into their respective academies and wings of the armed forces, these 17 cadets carry more than just rank and honor — they carry the hopes of a nation, the dreams of countless young girls, and the legacy of change.

This first female batch of NDA graduates isn’t just marching out of Khadakwasla — they’re marching into history.