"Every day was new box of surprises...": Female cadet shares NDA graduating journey

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 30 (ANI): For Ishita Sangwan, who was among the first batch of 17 newly commissioned cadets who graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune on Friday, every day at the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces "offered a new box of surprises".
Reflected on her NDA journey, Sangwan said "...It feels amazing to be an ex-NDA. I had no idea about NDA as there was no one from a defence background in my family. When I joined, everything was new. It felt like every day was a new box of surprises, every day was something new..."
The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the Academy today. The cadets celebrated their transformation into future officers of the Indian Armed Forces after three years of rigorous training at the premier tri-services academy.
Cadet Harsimran Kaur, who also graduated in the first batch of female cadets, said, "I was actually preparing for JEE Mains and then NDA came in between as a blessing. I was told by one of my friends that NDA is open for women as well. Then I thought of giving it a try. I just want to say that don't be afraid of anything. You can do whatever you want, just believe in yourself and go for it."

Cadet Udayveer Negi, who won the Commandant Silver Medal and the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Trophy for securing first position in B. Tech, expressed heartfelt emotions as he looked back at his training journey.
Negi said, "It is a very surreal moment for me and I cannot explain it in words. There are a lot of emotions right now, a lot of anxiety. Feeling really happy that my parents are here and just find a moment with me. The journey has been an interesting one. All the members of my family, most of them, have served in the defence forces. So from the start, it was always an inspiration for me that I had to join the defence forces one way or the other."

The graduation event was held at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune, and reviewed by General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), the current Governor of Mizoram and a former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). The ceremony brought together cadets, proud parents, military officials, and dignitaries from across the country to witness the event.

Calling it a "significant and historic" event, General VK Singh praised the achievement of the graduating women cadets. "Today is also a unique and significant day in the history of the academy. The first batch of women cadets will pass out today. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey of our greatest inclusivity and empowerment. These women are a symbol of Nari Shakti. It's embodied not just in women's development but in women-led development," the former COAS said.
In August 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered that women should be allowed to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). This ruling came after the government had previously been taking steps to implement the allowance of women into the NDA. The Supreme Court's decision was based on pleas filed by women seeking to be admitted to the NDA.
Entry to NDA is through a common National written examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) followed by selection by Service Selection Board (SSB) with no demarcation or quota for any State or Union Territory. The first batch of female cadets joined NDA in August, 2022 (i.e. from the148th NDA course). 126 female cadets have joined NDA from 148th course till date i.e. the 153rd course. (ANI)