Shriti Daksh, the daughter of a retired Air Force helicopter pilot, secured the highest marks in the arts stream, becoming the first woman to do so since the NDA began inducting female cadets in 2021.
Speaking about the achievement, she said: “Striking a balance between military training and academics was a tough challenge for me, but I managed to maintain that balance from the first term to the last. This dedication helped me excel academically.”
Shriti had previously scored 95% and 98% in her Class X and XII board exams. At the NDA, she opted to join Hunter squadron—her father Wing Commander (retd) Yogesh Kumar Daksh’s old squadron.
“When she told me she’d chosen my squadron, I was proud—but I also warned her that our squadron is known for its tough physical training. But she took up the challenge and excelled far beyond even what I had achieved,” said Yogesh, who is now a commercial pilot.
He recalled preparing her for NDA by asking her to run laps in a Noida park. “She was not fit at the time—but within weeks, she pushed herself and transformed.”
The convocation ceremony of the NDA’s 148th course on Thursday celebrated not only academic and military excellence but also the symbolic milestone of women cadets graduating for the first time.
The chief guest, Poonam Tandon, vice-chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, called the women cadets “torchbearers of change, courage and capability.”
Addressing them, she said, “Girls, your achievement today is not just your own. It is a breakthrough for thousands of young women across India who look up to you… Your presence here is historic.”
Male cadets shine across streams
While Shriti made history in the arts stream, cadets across all services and disciplines were honoured for academic excellence.
Academy Cadet Captain and Navy cadet Udayveer Singh Negi, from a long line of Army officers, topped the BTech course. “When I joined, I wasn’t sure I could complete three years of this training. But whenever I doubted myself, I thought of my family’s legacy,” he said. Udayveer will command Friday’s passing-out parade of over 1,300 cadets.
His father, Colonel Aditya Negi, a decorated Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, said, “I don’t think any parent could ask for a better day. It will be a momentous occasion for us.”
Army cadet Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah topped the BSc (Computer Science) stream. Son of a retired Naib Subedar, Prince said, “I cleared JEE, NEET and NDA exams, but NDA was my first and last choice.”
Air cadet Lucky Kumar, a farmer’s son and topper in the BSc stream, added: “It has always been my dream to fly aircraft, and I will join the Air Force.”
The first batch of 19 female cadets at NDA formally graduated on Friday after three years of rigorous training. Their presence marks a major shift in the history of India’s premier tri-services academy.
The milestone follows the Supreme Court’s 2021 order directing the government to allow permanent commission for women and ensure gender parity in officer recruitment across the armed forces.
(With inputs from ToI)
Speaking about the achievement, she said: “Striking a balance between military training and academics was a tough challenge for me, but I managed to maintain that balance from the first term to the last. This dedication helped me excel academically.”
Shriti had previously scored 95% and 98% in her Class X and XII board exams. At the NDA, she opted to join Hunter squadron—her father Wing Commander (retd) Yogesh Kumar Daksh’s old squadron.
“When she told me she’d chosen my squadron, I was proud—but I also warned her that our squadron is known for its tough physical training. But she took up the challenge and excelled far beyond even what I had achieved,” said Yogesh, who is now a commercial pilot.
He recalled preparing her for NDA by asking her to run laps in a Noida park. “She was not fit at the time—but within weeks, she pushed herself and transformed.”
The convocation ceremony of the NDA’s 148th course on Thursday celebrated not only academic and military excellence but also the symbolic milestone of women cadets graduating for the first time.
The chief guest, Poonam Tandon, vice-chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, called the women cadets “torchbearers of change, courage and capability.”
Addressing them, she said, “Girls, your achievement today is not just your own. It is a breakthrough for thousands of young women across India who look up to you… Your presence here is historic.”
Male cadets shine across streams
While Shriti made history in the arts stream, cadets across all services and disciplines were honoured for academic excellence.
Academy Cadet Captain and Navy cadet Udayveer Singh Negi, from a long line of Army officers, topped the BTech course. “When I joined, I wasn’t sure I could complete three years of this training. But whenever I doubted myself, I thought of my family’s legacy,” he said. Udayveer will command Friday’s passing-out parade of over 1,300 cadets.
His father, Colonel Aditya Negi, a decorated Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, said, “I don’t think any parent could ask for a better day. It will be a momentous occasion for us.”
Army cadet Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah topped the BSc (Computer Science) stream. Son of a retired Naib Subedar, Prince said, “I cleared JEE, NEET and NDA exams, but NDA was my first and last choice.”
Air cadet Lucky Kumar, a farmer’s son and topper in the BSc stream, added: “It has always been my dream to fly aircraft, and I will join the Air Force.”
The first batch of 19 female cadets at NDA formally graduated on Friday after three years of rigorous training. Their presence marks a major shift in the history of India’s premier tri-services academy.
The milestone follows the Supreme Court’s 2021 order directing the government to allow permanent commission for women and ensure gender parity in officer recruitment across the armed forces.
(With inputs from ToI)
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