New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu reviewed the prestigious passing out parade of the Spring Term-2026 at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday, marking a monumental milestone in the 93-year history of the institution. The ceremony witnessed the historic induction of the very first batch of nine women cadets into permanent commission, a transition the President lauded as a watershed moment for the Indian Armed Forces and a shining example of the nation’s progress toward women-led development.
The nine pioneering women cadets crossed the hallowed “Antim Pag” (final step) to be commissioned as Lieutenants alongside their male counterparts, culminating a rigorous four-year training schedule that included three initial years at the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla. While the Supreme Court directives have opened permanent commissions to women across all military arms, direct entry into the IMA remains restricted for women, who must currently enter through either the NDA or the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. A total of 515 cadets from the 158th Regular Course and the 141st Technical Graduates Course graduated during the parade, a cohort that also included 29 international cadets from friendly foreign countries.
Adding to the day’s highlights of individual excellence, Lieutenant Prince Raj, an alumnus of Sainik School Kapurthala in Punjab, bagged the coveted silver medal in the overall order of merit for the Spring Term-2026. Lieutenant Raj, who hails from Patna and spent seven years grooming at the Punjab-based military school, previously won the President’s Gold Medal for standing first at the NDA in May 2025 before finishing his final year of pre-commission training at the IMA. Lieutenant Tejas Bhat, who also secured a bronze at the NDA last year, continued his streak by securing the bronze medal for third place in the order of merit.
During her address to the newly commissioned officers, President Murmu emphasized the critical need for the Indian Army to remain adaptive, future-ready, and highly responsive to rapidly evolving global security challenges and technological advancements. She urged the fresh graduates to prioritize ethical leadership, balance operational readiness with the overall welfare of their troops, and consistently lead from the front to uphold the finest traditions of the Indian military.
