Meet Divyanshi Singh, first NDA-trained woman cadet commissioned into IAF Ground Duty branch

Hyderabad: Flight Cadet Divyanshi Singh has etched her name in history by becoming the first woman trained at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, to be commissioned into the Ground Duty branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The milestone was achieved during the Combined Graduation Parade of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, where she was commissioned alongside 230 other flight cadets, including 36 women.
The graduating contingent also featured the first batch of women officers trained at the NDA.

Singh belongs to the pioneering group of female cadets who entered the NDA in 2022 after the prestigious tri-services academy opened its doors to women following a landmark decision.

She was among the first-ever batch of women to undergo the academy’s rigorous military training programme.

For Singh, serving in the Indian Air Force was a dream nurtured from childhood.

Raised in a family with strong military roots, she grew up listening to stories of discipline, dedication and service from her father, an air warrior.
Those early influences played a key role in shaping her ambition to wear the uniform.

After successfully clearing the NDA entrance examination, she embarked on an intensive three-year journey at the academy, known for producing some of the country’s finest military leaders.

During her training, she stood out for her leadership abilities and was appointed Cadet Quarter Master Sergeant, a position of responsibility and trust.

Following her graduation from the NDA in March 2025, she, along with four other women cadets from the inaugural batch, underwent specialised branch training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal before being commissioned into the IAF.

Her achievement is being viewed as a significant step in the growing inclusion of women in India's armed forces.

Beyond her personal success, Singh’s journey reflects the changing face of military leadership and is expected to inspire a new generation of young women aspiring to serve the nation in uniform.