Sai Jadhav Breaks a 93-Year Record At The Indian Military Academy

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In a landmark moment for India's military history, 23-year-old Sai Jadhav has shattered a long-standing barrier by becoming the first woman officer to pass out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. Her achievement ends a 93-year tradition in which no woman had completed training and been commissioned from this prestigious institution since its founding in 1932.

A Historic Milestone at IMA

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For an Indian Military Academy that has trained over 80,000 officer cadets to this date, no female officer has ever passed out from its gruelling training course successfully-until Sai Jadhav. The induction of Sai Jadhav into the Territorial Army as a Lieutenant signifies a milestone in gender inclusion at the highly prestigious Indian Defence Academy.

Sai's training was a part of a special course in the Territorial Army at IMA. She was the only female cadet among 16 officer cadets. The course features rigorous training that focuses on much stress on physical strength, leadership qualities, and toughness in mental abilities.

Roots and Inspiration

Sai Jadhav hails from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and comes from a family with a strong military legacy. Her father, Major Sandeep Jadhav, is presently serving in the Territorial Army, and her grandfather has served in the British Army. Such a rich tradition of her family had a major impact on her choosing a military career.

Her journey to becoming an IMA officer began after she qualified for the national-level competitive exam and the SSB interview, a selection procedure that is extremely competitive and entails a lot of physical rigor. The training she has received is intended to not merely produce qualified and competent officers but leaders who are able to discharge the responsibility of command in the armed forces.

The Passing Out Ceremony

Sai's accomplishment at the Passing Out Parade (POP) held at Dehradun was an emotional experience for her and her family. Her parents awarded her the stars of the rank of Lieutenant, marking the official induction into the Territorial Army. This was just the beginning for Sai and also for the academy that is aiming towards better integration of the female element into the body.

A Step Toward Equality at IMA

Although this year's commissioning occurs via a dedicated course for the Territorial Army, there is an important milestone to note: starting in June 2026, women officer cadets will now train alongside their male counterparts at the IMA and participate in the Passing Out Parade. This will mark an important step towards the promotion of gender equality in one of the most prestigious training academies in the country.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Sai Jadhav's achievement is one of triumph over adversity and is truly inspirational for young women across the country who have a desire to be a part of the armed forces. By smashing a glass ceiling which had remained unbroken for almost a century, she has proved that strength and grit could open even the most traditional of doors.

Her story is already celebrated as an important landmark in women's empowerment in the Indian Army, inspiring future generations to view the military as a rewarding and accessible career option.