Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh topped the Arts Stream. Among the standout performers were

• Cadet Captain Uday Veer Singh Negi (B Tech)
• Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah (Computer Science)
• Cadet Lucky Kumar (Science)

Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh, a member of the pioneering female cohort, who topped the Arts stream.

In a historic moment highlighting the changing face of India’s military, the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune hosted the graduation ceremony for its 148th course today. The event was especially historic given the graduation of more than 300 cadets, including the first-ever batch of 17 female cadets, marking an important step towards gender inclusion in military leadership.

Heading the ceremony as Chief Guest was Prof (Dr) Poonam Tandon, Vice Chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University.

A distinguished physicist and education reformist under the National Education Policy 2020, her presence was testimony to the NDA’s focus on academic achievement, coupled with military training. Degrees, presented by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), covered fields of Study in Science, Computer Science, and Social Sciences.

Among the top performers were Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi (B Tech), Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah (Computer Science), Cadet Lucky Kumar (Science), and Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh, a member of the first batch of female cadets, who stood first in the Arts stream.

Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, NDA Commandant, congratulated all the graduates and underlined the importance of the induction of women cadets at the academy. He showed faith in their eventual careers as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, terming the moment a milestone for the institution and nation. The ceremony was held at the historic Habibullah Hall, which was decorated with the NDA emblem and national colors. Cadets were awarded degrees, certificates, and trophies during a formal ceremony graced by proud families and top military brass.

A group photo taken on the occasion of commemoration, with graduating cadets dressed in ceremonial uniforms alongside faculty and officers captured the pride and essence of the moment. The convocation precedes the Passing out Parade (POP) on May 30, for which the Reviewing Officer is General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), a former Chief of Army Staff and the present Governor of Mizoram.

The Passing Out Parade (POP) marks the formal induction of cadets into the armed forces—symbolizing the culmination of their rigorous three-year journey at the National Defence Academy (NDA). This momentous convocation not only celebrates academic excellence and military preparedness but also reflects the NDA’s progressive vision of grooming inclusive and resilient leaders for tomorrow. United under the Academy’s timeless motto, “Service Before Self,” these cadets march forward to shoulder the responsibility of national defence with pride and honour.

Amidst this historic 148th Course POP, featuring the first batch of woman cadets, the spotlight also shines on the guiding force behind many aspirants—Centurion Defence Academy. Built on the unwavering principle of सेवा परमो धर्मः, Nation First” by Shishir Sir, Centurion has consistently instilled a deeper sense of purpose among defence aspirants.

More than just academic training, the Academy fosters a lifestyle of discipline, duty, and national service—mirroring the same ethos upheld by the NDA. The success of Centurion students at this landmark POP is a testament to the Academy’s role in shaping future warriors of India.

Rooted in the guiding principles of सत्य, सेना और संस्कार, Centurion Defence Academy nurtures not just cadets but character. These core values create a strong foundation for aspirants to rise with clarity, courage, and conviction. As the parade ground echoes with commands and the cadets take their final march, it becomes evident that institutions like

Centurion are not merely coaching centres—they are breeding grounds for responsible, ethical, and determined leaders, ready to carry the weight of the tricolour with pride and integrity.