For the First Time in 92 Years, Women Officers to Join IMA — A Historic Shift in the Army

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): For the first time in 92 years, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun is set to train women officers, marking a significant shift in the history of the Indian Armed Forces. This development follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling in August 2021 that allowed women to appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, paving the way for permanent commission in the Army.

The first batch of women officers from NDA Khadakwasla is expected to graduate in July 2025. Among the 18 women currently undergoing final-phase training at NDA, 8 have opted to join the Indian Army. These cadets will receive a year-long training at IMA, after which they will be commissioned into service. An officer confirmed that the first batch is scheduled to pass out of NDA as early as May, having joined the academy in August 2022. Currently, 126 women cadets are being trained at NDA.

Until now, IMA has trained only male cadets, while women officers were inducted through the Short Service Commission via the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. With the upcoming change, IMA officials have begun preparing to accommodate women cadets, including setting up separate residential facilities. The training, however, will be conducted jointly with male cadets to ensure equality and uniformity in military education.

In preparation, IMA officials have visited other military institutions such as OTA Chennai, Air Force Academy in Dundigal, and the Indian Naval Academy to study existing infrastructure and training protocols for women cadets. Officials confirmed that the model followed at OTA, which has been training women officers for the past three decades, will be implemented at IMA as well.

The NDA exam is conducted annually by UPSC and is open to Class 12 students or those who have passed the examination. Following the written exam, candidates undergo a six-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, medical examination, and are then placed in a final merit list. The selected candidates undergo three years of training at NDA, followed by a year of specialized training at respective service academies.

Since the implementation of command roles for women in the Armed Forces, at least 145 women officers have been promoted to the rank of Colonel, with 115 currently commanding units. This step by IMA not only breaks a 92-year tradition but also signifies a broader commitment by the Indian Armed Forces to integrate women into leadership roles and frontline responsibilities.