A landmark moment in India's military history unfolded at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad as Flight Cadet Divyanshi Singh became the first woman from the National Defence Academy (NDA) to receive a commission in the Ground Duty branch of the Indian Air Force.

She was among 231 cadets who successfully completed their training and received commissions during the Combined Graduation Parade of the 217th Course held at Dundigal. The graduating batch comprised both male and female cadets, marking another step forward in the armed forces' efforts toward greater gender inclusion.

Divyanshi belongs to the pioneering group of women who entered the NDA after the academy began admitting female candidates following a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2021. The first batch of women joined the prestigious tri-services institution in 2022, ending decades of male-only admissions.

As one of the earliest women cadets at the NDA, Divyanshi underwent the same rigorous military programme as her male counterparts. The three-year course focused on leadership development, physical endurance, military education, discipline and teamwork, all of which are central to officer training at the academy.

During her tenure at the NDA in Pune, she also held the appointment of Cadet Quarter Master Sergeant, a position that entrusted her with important administrative and leadership responsibilities within the cadet community.

After completing NDA training, Divyanshi proceeded to the Air Force Academy for specialised instruction related to her chosen branch before qualifying for commission.

The graduation parade also represented a significant milestone as it featured the first group of women officers who had undergone NDA training before joining their respective service academies for advanced military preparation.

The ceremonial event was reviewed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who awarded commissions to the graduating officers and congratulated them on successfully completing their training.

The achievement follows another historic development in recent years when the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun witnessed the graduation of its first batch of women officer cadets.

Divyanshi Singh's commissioning is being viewed as a symbol of the changing landscape within India's armed forces. Her journey reflects expanding opportunities for women in military service and is expected to encourage more young women to pursue careers in national defence.