Breaking Barriers Again: NDA Cadet Siddhi Jain Becomes First Woman to Win President’s Bronze Medal
Khadakwasla, 1st December 2025: In a milestone that strengthens the growing presence of women in India’s armed forces, cadet Siddhi Jain has become the first woman to receive the President’s Bronze Medal for academic excellence at the National Defence Academy. Her achievement, announced during the 149th Passing Out Parade (POP), also marks the second consecutive year that a female cadet has secured a top academic honour at the prestigious tri-services institution.
The passing out parade, conducted at the Khetrapal Parade Ground, celebrated the commissioning of 329 cadets, including 15 women and 18 international trainees. NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi presided over the event, where several honours were conferred across academic, military and overall performance categories.
Among the top awards, Deepak Kandpal received the President’s Gold Medal for overall excellence, while Siddharth Singh earned the Silver Medal. The Golf Squadron claimed the Chief of Staff Banner, and Ananya Baloni was awarded the academic Silver Medal in Computer Science.
A standout story from this year’s cohort was that of Siddhi Jain. Raised in Ujhani, Uttar Pradesh, by schoolteacher parents, Jain left her engineering studies at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) to follow her aspiration of joining the armed forces. After cracking the NDA entrance exam on her second attempt, she went on to excel at the academy and will now proceed to the Air Force Academy in Dundigal to continue her training.
Speaking about her achievement, Jain described the moment as deeply emotional. “Standing on the podium to receive a medal was unforgettable. My first term at NDA was extremely tough, but with continuous support from my mentors, I was able to complete the training,” she said.
