First batch of 17 women female cadets graduated with honour from NDA.

First batch of female cadets graduated from NDA with honour. 

On May 29, 2025, the first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune.

Making history at the NDA, Shriti Daksh emerged as the first female cadet to top the BA stream, winning the Silver medal and the Chief of Air Staff Trophy.

In BSc stream, Lucky Kumar secured the highest rank and was awarded with Chief of Army Staff Trophy.

In Computer Science Branch, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Kushwaha received the Chief of Naval Staff Trophy.

In B.Tech Stream, Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi topped the stream.

This was the 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA). 339 cadets including 17 female cadets were conferred with degrees during the convocation ceremony held at the Academy.

BA, B.Sc. and B.Tech degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were conferred on the cadets. Out of 339 cadets, 59 were conferred with Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, 84 cadets got BSc degree, 84 received Computer science degrees and 111 were awarded with B.Tech degrees.

After graduating from NDA, cadets proceed to their respective pre-commissioning training academies: (cadets joining army attend the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, those selected for Air Force will attend Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal and for the Navy The Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala.

In 2021 the Supreme Court verdict directed UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) to allow women candidates to apply for the NDA examination for the first time. Since 2022, a total of 126 female cadets have joined the academy across 148 to 153rd batches of NDA.

On 30 May 2025, Friday, the passing out parade was held at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune.

This event has marked a historic moment for women in the Indian armed forces.