President Droupadi Murmu hailed the passing out of nine women cadets at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, calling it a watershed moment in the military academy's history.
The milestone marks a significant step towards women-led development in the country, with women first being inducted as officers under the Women Special Entry Scheme in 1992.
Over the years, their role has expanded across various branches of the Army, with policy reforms and landmark court judgments opening new avenues, including permanent commission and command opportunities.
The first batch of women joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2022, paving the way for greater integration of women into military training institutions.
Murmu also reviewed the parade and congratulated all officer cadets for their successful completion of one of the most rigorous training programmes in the country.
She extended her congratulations to cadets from friendly foreign countries on passing out from the IMA, highlighting India's commitment to fostering friendship, cooperation, and peaceful relations with countries across the world.
Murmu addressed officer cadets, saying their journey at the Indian Military Academy has been one of discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance, and urging them to be lifelong learners, courageous decision-makers, and ethical leaders.
