Historic Commissioning of Women Cadets at IMA
Significant Milestone for Women in the Indian Army
President Murmu (centre) with the first-ever batch of nine women officer cadets. (Photo:Source: @rashtrapatibhvn/X)
Dehradun, Jun 13: On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the passing-out parade for the 158th regular course and the 141st technical graduate course at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), marking a historic moment with the commissioning of the first-ever group of nine women officer cadets into the Indian Army.
A total of 515 officer cadets were commissioned during the event, including the nine women. The graduating class also featured 34 officer cadets from 16 allied nations, who will be joining their respective military forces.
Officials noted that the inclusion of female officer cadets is a groundbreaking achievement for the IMA, which has been training male Army officers since its inception in 1932.
During her address, the President commended the cadets for completing one of the most challenging training programs in the country, emphasizing that their bravery and wisdom would serve them well in their future roles.
She expressed her delight at the induction of the nine women cadets, calling it a "watershed moment" in the IMA's history. This milestone not only signifies progress for the armed forces but also exemplifies India's commitment to women-led development, with hopes for increased female participation in the academy in the future.
Murmu highlighted the need for the Indian Army to adapt to evolving security challenges, technological advancements, and complex global scenarios. She encouraged the new officers to be lifelong learners, courageous decision-makers, and ethical leaders.
As future Army officers, the cadets will be tasked with leading, guiding, and caring for their soldiers. They are expected to set an example, inspire confidence, and foster teamwork and dedication.
By balancing operational effectiveness with the welfare of their personnel, they will build trust and enhance the combat readiness of their units.
In conclusion, she urged them to lead from the front, care for their soldiers, and uphold the esteemed traditions of the armed forces.
Several cadets received accolades for their exceptional performance during the ceremony, with Academy Cadet Adjutant Vishal Kumar being awarded the sword of honour and the gold medal for achieving the top position in the regular course.
The event was attended by notable figures including Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (retd), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Army Training Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, IMA Commandant Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh, senior military officials, and the families of the cadets.