Five trailblazing women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA) have been commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a major milestone for gender inclusion in India’s armed forces. Among them, Flying Officer Ishita Sangwan became the first woman fighter pilot commissioned through the NDA, while Flying Officer Divyanshi Singh became the first woman NDA graduate to join the Ground Duty branch. Their achievements reflect the transformative impact of the 2021 Supreme Court decision that allowed women to enter the NDA.

The commissioning ceremony took place on 13 June 2026 during the Combined Graduation Parade of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the parade and awarded the President’s Commission to 231 cadets, including 194 men and 37 women. The newly commissioned women officers were part of the NDA’s first female batch, which graduated from Pune in May 2025 before completing specialised training at Dundigal.

The event featured impressive aerial and ceremonial displays, including performances by Pilatus PC-7 MK-I, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak aircraft, as well as aerobatics by Su-30MKI fighters, the Sarang helicopter display team and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team. The Akash Ganga skydiving team and the all-women “Shakti” Air Warrior Drill Team further highlighted the increasing role of women in the military.

Flying Officer Ishita Sangwan’s induction as the first NDA-trained woman fighter pilot marks a significant moment in Indian military aviation, placing her among the elite group of women fighter pilots in the IAF. Flying Officer Divyanshi Singh also created history by becoming the first woman NDA graduate commissioned into Ground Duty. Inspired by her father’s Air Force background, she excelled during training, held leadership responsibilities at the NDA, and earned the President’s Plaque for securing the top position in the Ground Duty order of merit.

Their commissioning forms part of a larger transformation within the armed forces. Altogether, 17 women from the NDA’s 148th Course were inducted into the Army, Navy and Air Force. Nine joined the Army through the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, three entered the Navy through the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and five were commissioned into the Air Force at Dundigal. This tri-service induction reflects India’s growing commitment to equal opportunities in defence services.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the rising contribution of “Nari Shakti” in the armed forces, saying it would strengthen and modernise the IAF. He encouraged the cadets to remain adaptable, embrace innovation in modern warfare and stay prepared to defend the nation. He also referred to the IAF’s contributions in the 1947-48 Kashmir conflict, the 1971 war and Operation Sindoor in 2025. The commissioning of the first women NDA graduates into the IAF stands as a historic moment in India’s military journey. It represents the breaking of long-standing barriers, greater inclusivity in the armed forces and the empowerment of women in defence roles, inspiring future generations to follow similar paths.