India has all the reasons to celebrate as it was on the morning of May 30, 2025, when the first batch of 17 women cadets graduated from the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA). The 17 young women cadets had taken part in the passing out parade at NDA, and the josh was high. All the parents of the women cadets were filled with a lot of emotion as the first ever women’s batch etched history. Parents of Army cadet, Sheetal Mehalan, cadet, Ishita Sangwan and Ritul Duhan are super proud. The parents were in tears as they hugged their daughters and broke gender stereotypes.
The Indian defence sector has mostly been seen as a male-dominated and driven field where soldiers are martyred for the nation and serve the country. Amid this, the 17 women cadets had their passing out parade against the 300 male cadets and made a significant shift in the history of military training. Here’s more to know about a few women cadets who passed out from the NDA in 2025, for the first time etching history.
Meet Army Cadet, Sheetal Mehalan, who got 96% in class 12 boards
Army Cadet, Sheetal Mehalan’s dad, Ashok Mehalan, in an interview with the Times of India, shared that his daughter is not just his now but is also the daughter of India. Speaking of Sheetal, she comes from Sanchana town, which is located in Haryana’s Rohtak and has always been brilliant in her academics. Sheetal had also won the award for best student, post she scored 95% in her class X exams. She studied at Spring Board School, Sonipat, and got 96% in her class X11 exams. Sheetal’s dad, Ashok, is a trader by profession and speaking of his daughter, who made him proud, he and Sheetal’s mom shared:
“She is our only daughter. When she decided to join the NDA, we supported her as it was her choice. She was inspired by her grandfather, who served in the Army, but gradually, we accepted her life, and today she is part of the historic occasion of the academy. I could not identify her when she marched on the parade ground.”
Ishita Sangwan has made her parents proud with the uniform
Ishita Sangwan’s dad, C Sangwan, has transformed the lives of her parents and has made them proud. The father shared with the publication of getting a new identity from his daughter. He serves as a principal at a private school located in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Ishita comes from Birhi village located in Charkhi Dadri and has completed her NDA training. She got 95.6% back in class 10 and 96.6% in class 12 and studied at Rana International School in Degana, Rajasthan. It was in August 2021 when the Supreme Court permitted women to take the NDA exams. Ishita’s dad motivated her to prepare for the NDA exam as she was preparing for JEE back at Kota. He shared:
“When we got to know about the entry for women in the NDA through the news, we asked her to submit her form 20 days before the exam. She cleared the exam and prepared for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview by watching videos. Today, she proved her mettle and determination and made us very proud,” he added. Most of the parents said they supported their daughters’ decision to join NDA, despite excellence in studies and other available career options. They proudly took selfies with them to celebrate the occasion.”
Ritul Duhan is the first Battalion Cadet Captain of the NDA 2025 women’s batch
Ritul Duhan has made her mom, Seva, a homemaker very proud by being the first Battalion Cadet Captain. Her dad, Ajit, has no words to express the achievement of his daughter. Ritual has been a national-level basketball player and was also a state-level debater. She was in her first year of engineering when she joined the NDA. Her home state motivated her to join the forces.
What are your views on the first batch of women cadets from the NDA?
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