India commissions first NDA-trained women officers

In a historic first, the first cohort of women cadets trained at the National Defence Academy (NDA) have been commissioned as officers across the Indian armed forces. The landmark commissioning ceremonies took place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, marking a significant step in the full integration of women into the military's leadership ranks.

The batch of 17 women cadets, who joined the NDA in Pune in August 2022, completed their rigorous pre-commission training at their respective service academies. Their commissioning follows a 2021 Supreme Court judgment that allowed women to appear for the NDA entrance examination, ending decades of male-only admissions.

Nine officers were commissioned into the Indian Army during a passing-out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the parade as the chief guest. In her address, she encouraged the graduating cadets to serve the nation with dedication and discipline, highlighting their role as protectors of the country's borders and custodians of public trust.

Five women officers were commissioned into the Indian Air Force during a combined graduation...