Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Combined Graduation and Passing Out Parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on June 13, 2026.

The event marks a significant shift in the composition of the Indian Air Force as it integrates the first women cadets from the National Defence Academy into its officer corps.

Located on the outskirts of Hyderabad in Telangana, the academy hosted the graduation of the 217th Course [1]. During the ceremony, Singh pinned wings on the newly commissioned officers, officially welcoming them into active service [2]. The parade served as a formal review of the discipline and training completed by the cadets during their tenure at the academy [3].

The ceremony included a display of aerial capabilities by the IAF, which Singh witnessed alongside the military reviews [2]. The inclusion of women from the NDA represents a milestone in gender inclusivity within India's military training pipeline [3]. This transition follows a broader effort to open specialized combat and leadership roles to women across the armed forces.

Singh's presence at the Dundigal facility emphasized the government's focus on the modernization of the air force and the professional development of its personnel [2]. The graduation process at the academy is designed to transition cadets from academic and basic military training to operational flight, and leadership roles [3].

“The event marks a significant shift in the composition of the Indian Air Force.”

The commissioning of the first NDA women cadets into the IAF signals a structural change in India's defense procurement of talent. By breaking the gender barrier at the academy level, the IAF is expanding its recruitment pool and aligning its operational leadership with contemporary standards of inclusivity.