WHEN THE UNIFORM BECAME GENDERLESS...

National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune since its establishment in 1954, witnessed a historic march on May 30, 2025, when the first batch of 17 women cadets alongside the 300 male cadets walked past the 'Antim Pag (Final Step) at the parade ground of the triservices academy during the Passing Out Parade of the 148th course of NDA.

- Col Dev Anand Lohamaror

This day marked not only a ceremonial triumph but a tectonic shift in India's defence establishment — the formal induction of women into the country's premier tri-service training institution.

From Tokenism to Transformation

India gradually opened its armed forces to women since the late 20th century, starting with the Military Nursing Service in 1958 and commissioning women officers in non-combat roles from 1992. These roles were mostly support functions. Real change began with judicial interventions in the 2010s, boosted by ongoing public discourse.

On August 13, 2021, during a nationally broadcast video conference, I urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to institutionalize gender parity in recruitment and training, receiving a positive response. National Women President of Bhootpurva Sainik Vikas Samiti, Captain Amrit Kaur, further strengthened the cause. Their voices, amplified by media and civil society, spurred the government's policy shift.

A Legacy Rewritten