INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
PUNE: The very first batch of girl cadets, now in their second year of three years of military-cum-academic training at the National Defence
Academy in Khadakwasla, near Pune, will march along with male cadets at the passing-out parade of the academy's 145th course on November 30
President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest.The girl cadets participated in the autumn and winter PoPs in the first two terms of their
first year but were not part of the marching contingent.They can be part of the march only from the second year."It will be a historic
moment for the academy on its Khetarpal ground
At least 20 girl cadets will participate in the marching contingent
They are practising hard in the rehearsals," an NDA officer said.The first batch of NDA female cadets has a strength of 19 (10 for Army, six
for Air Force and three for Navy)
They are part of the 148th course and will graduate in May 2025.A majority of the military training activities has been carried out
together, in a gender-neutral manner, since June 2022, NDA officers said.A training methodology already exists in other pre-commissioning
academics like Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
However, girl cadets in NDA are younger as they join the academy on completion of their class XII
"With minimum changes to curriculum, academics, drill and outdoor training are conducted as per the armed forces' requirements
However, physical training is imparted as per the global standards for girl cadets," a senior NDA officer said
Girl cadets will also take part in other activities, such as manning the mast, commentating, and guiding the guests.
