Breaking Barriers: Women Cadets Redefine India’s Military Future

DIPAK KURMI

On a historic Friday in May 2025, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla witnessed a transformative milestone as 17 women cadets from its 148th batch graduated, marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in identical uniforms, indistinguishable to the untrained eye. This moment marked a watershed for the Indian armed forces, heralding a future where women can ascend to the highest echelons of military leadership. The journey to this point has been arduous, spanning over a century of incremental progress, legal battles, and cultural shifts. From the establishment of the Military Nursing Service in 1888 to the Supreme Court’s landmark 2021 verdict mandating women’s admission to the NDA, the path has been paved with determination and reform. The graduation of these women cadets, integrated into the NDA’s 18 squadrons and trained in a gender-neutral environment, signifies not just equality in training but a realistic pathway for women to become service chiefs in the coming decades. As India’s military embraces this change, the event underscores both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in fostering a truly inclusive armed forces.

The inclusion of women in the Indian military began modestly in 1888 with the British-established Military Nursing Service, which allowed women to serve in medical roles. By 1958, the Indian Army Medical Corps began granting regular commissions to women doctors, but non-medical roles remained inaccessible until 1992. That year, the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) introduced Short Service Commission (SSC) positions in select non-combat streams, such as the Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers. However, Permanent Commission (PC) opportunities were limited until 2008, when women SSC officers in the Judge Advocate General department and Army Education Corps became eligible. In 2019, the government extended PC eligibility to eight additional non-combat streams but barred women from command appointments, perpetuating a glass ceiling. The fight for equality reached the courts in the 2000s, culminating in a pivotal 2020 Supreme Court ruling that declared women eligible for PC and command roles across ten streams, rejecting discrimination “based on sex stereotypes.” This verdict set the stage for the 2021 court order directing the NDA to admit women, following a plea to allow eligible female candidates to appear for the NDA and Naval Academy entrance exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

The 17 women who graduated on May 30, 2025, joined the NDA in 2022, becoming part of a cohort that has now seen 126 women cadets admitted up to the 153rd batch. The NDA, a premier tri-services institution, committed to training women in an “absolutely gender-neutral manner” with minimal changes to its rigorous curriculum. Most activities, from physical drills to academic instruction, are conducted jointly with male cadets, reflecting the academy’s focus on preparing women for future command roles. The NDA adapted training methodologies from other pre-commissioning academies, such as the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, where women SSC officers have trained since 1992. Dedicated support staff were appointed to ensure seamless integration, and while women initially had separate accommodations, a significant milestone was achieved in early 2025 when they were fully integrated into the NDA’s 18 squadrons. These squadrons, the foundational units of the academy, serve as cadets’ families, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences. Integration means women now live, train, and adhere to the same daily routines as their male peers, a critical step toward normalizing their presence in the military.

The significance of this graduation extends far beyond the parade ground. Historically, women entered the military through SSC or direct-entry routes, limiting their access to command roles and long-term career progression. The NDA, renowned for its early career training and leadership grooming, offers a pathway previously reserved for men. A female NDA graduate, starting her career young, can build a 35- to 40-year tenure, a prerequisite for ascending to roles like service chief. Command positions in combat arms—infantry, artillery, navy warships, or fighter squadrons—are crucial for career advancement, and NDA training equips women to compete for these roles. As former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane predicted in 2021, a woman could one day stand at the pinnacle of military leadership. Echoing this sentiment, General V.K. Singh (Retd.), the Reviewing Officer for the 148th batch’s passing-out parade, envisioned a future where these women cadets could rise to the highest ranks. His words, delivered on May 30, 2025, resonated with the historic weight of the occasion, marking a turning point for the armed forces.

The integration of women into the NDA has not been without challenges. While the academy has embraced gender-neutral training, broader cultural shifts within the military are needed to normalize women in leadership roles. A retired Indian Air Force Air Marshal, speaking to The Indian Express in June 2025, emphasized the necessity of a “deeper cultural shift” to fully integrate women. Certain streams, particularly combat roles, remain restricted, requiring deliberate policy changes. The Air Marshal highlighted the need for enhanced work-life infrastructure, including maternity policies, childcare support, and spousal postings, to support women officers. Promotion boards and evaluation criteria for command postings must also evolve to ensure fairness. These concerns reflect the broader societal and institutional adjustments required to sustain the momentum of gender equality in the military.

The graduation of the 17 women cadets is a testament to India’s evolving military ethos. Their journey began amidst legal victories that challenged entrenched norms, culminating in their seamless integration into the NDA’s rigorous training environment. The Supreme Court’s 2020 and 2021 rulings were pivotal, not only granting women access to PC and command roles but also affirming their right to equal opportunities. The NDA’s commitment to gender-neutral training, evidenced by joint activities and squadron integration, ensures that women are prepared for the demands of modern warfare and leadership. The academy’s 18 squadrons, each a microcosm of military life, now reflect a more inclusive vision, with women and men sharing the same challenges and aspirations.

Looking ahead, the path for women in the Indian armed forces is both promising and demanding. The 126 women cadets admitted since 2022 represent a growing pipeline of talent, poised to reshape the military’s leadership landscape. Their training at the NDA, combined with opportunities for command roles, positions them to break through historical barriers. However, sustained efforts are needed to address remaining restrictions and cultural biases. A 2025 X post by @DefenceIndia praised the women cadets, noting, “These trailblazers are rewriting history, proving women belong at every level of our armed forces.” The sentiment captures the public’s growing support for gender equality in the military, amplified by the visibility of these graduates.

The May 2025 graduation ceremony, where women cadets marched indistinguishable from their male peers, symbolized a new era for India’s armed forces. It was a moment of triumph, built on decades of advocacy and reform, from the Military Nursing Service’s inception in 1888 to the Supreme Court’s transformative rulings. As these 17 women embark on their careers, they carry the potential to redefine military leadership, with the NDA as their springboard. The vision articulated by Generals Naravane and Singh—a woman leading the Army, Navy, or Air Force—is no longer a distant dream but a tangible possibility. By addressing cultural, structural, and policy challenges, India can ensure that these pioneers pave the way for a truly equitable military, where talent, not gender, determines one’s rise to the top.

(dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)