First women NDA cadets among 231 officers commissioned into Indian Air Force

Hyderabad, June 13. A total of 231 flight cadets, including the first batch of women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA), were commissioned as officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF) following the Combined Graduation Parade of the 217th course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, near Hyderabad, on June 13.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the parade and conferred the President’s Commission on the graduating cadets, marking the completion of their pre-commissioning training for the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the IAF. Of the newly commissioned officers, 194 are men and 37 are women.

In addition, nine officers from the Indian Navy, three from the Indian Coast Guard and two officers from Vietnam were awarded their wings, while three officers received brevets after completing navigation training.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers, Rajnath Singh said they were joining a force that has consistently served as both the shield and sword of the nation. Recalling the IAF’s role in the Srinagar airlift during the 1947-48 conflict and its decisive operations in the 1971 war, he said the force had once again demonstrated its precision and professionalism during Operation Sindoor in 2025.

He noted that the success of the operation was made possible not only by indigenous defence platforms but also by the training, courage and discipline of IAF personnel. Expressing confidence in the force’s future role, he said the service would continue to remain central to India’s military operations.

Highlighting the changing character of warfare, the Defence Minister cautioned the officers that modern battlefields are increasingly defined by technologies such as drones, satellites, sensors, robotics and cyber capabilities, where adversaries and weapons are often difficult to identify. He urged them to remain vigilant and prepared to deal with emerging and unforeseen threats.

Calling on the young officers to adapt to futuristic warfare concepts and technologies, Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of innovation and continuous learning. He noted that recent conflicts had shown how relatively smaller powers could inflict significant damage using compact yet highly effective weapons and unconventional tactics.

“The wings on your shoulders are not merely an insignia but a symbol of the trust reposed in you by every Indian,” he said, adding that military leaders are often required to make critical decisions within seconds and must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and conduct.

The Defence Minister also congratulated the women officers, saying their growing presence would further strengthen the IAF and reflect the inclusiveness of the armed forces. He extended his best wishes to the Vietnamese officers and expressed hope that their training in India would further deepen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Commending the IAF for its role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations both in India and overseas, Singh said the force embodied India’s ethos of extending help beyond national boundaries.

“It is often said that the sky is the limit. For the Indian Air Force, the sky should be seen as home,” he said, adding that such a vision would contribute to the goal of building a developed India by 2047.

The ceremony featured a general salute and march past by the cadets, accompanied by a flypast led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The aerial display included Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak trainer aircraft.

The event also witnessed demonstrations by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the ‘Shakti’ Woman Air Warrior Drill Team. Aerial performances by a Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, the Sarang helicopter display team and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team formed the grand finale.

Among the award winners, Flying Officer Ashish Kumar Yadav received the prestigious President’s Plaque and the Nawanagar Sword of Honour for securing first position in the overall order of merit in the Pilot Course. Flying Officer Ekta Gupta was awarded the President’s Plaque for topping the Navigation stream, while Flying Officer Divyanshi Singh received the President’s Plaque for standing first in the Ground Duty branches.

The commissioning ceremony, attended by family members of the graduating officers, marked the beginning of their careers in the IAF, with the newly commissioned officers taking an oath to uphold the sovereignty and honour of the nation.