Sai Jadhav from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur has scripted history by becoming the first woman officer to pass out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, breaking a record that stood for 93 years. Her achievement marks a landmark moment for the Indian Army and opens a new chapter for women in uniform.
When Sai completed her training and her parents pinned the stars on her shoulders, the moment became one of pride not just for her family, but for the entire nation.
Sai Creates History
Since its establishment in 1932, the Indian Military Academy has trained more than 67,000 officer cadets, all of them men until now. Sai Jadhav is the first woman to successfully complete training at IMA and be commissioned as an officer.
Her success breaks a long-standing barrier and signals a major shift in the Army’s approach towards gender equality and opportunity.
Commissioned as Lieutenant in Territorial Army
Sai Jadhav has been commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army (TA). While women officers have served in the Territorial Army earlier, Sai is the first woman officer to join TA after completing training at IMA.
Her achievement is being seen as more than a personal milestone. It reflects the Indian Army’s evolving mindset and commitment to providing equal opportunities to women.
Carrying Forward a Proud Military Legacy
Sai belongs to a family with deep roots in the armed forces. Her great-grandfather served in the British Army, her grandfather was an officer in the Indian Army, and her father, Sandeep Jadhav, is currently serving as an officer in the Indian Army.
With Sai joining the forces, the Jadhav family now has four generations serving the nation in uniform.
Journey from Kolhapur to IMA
Originally from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Sai completed her schooling in different parts of the country due to her family’s service background. She finished her Class 12 education in Belagavi and later completed her graduation.
After clearing a national-level competitive examination, she was selected through the Services Selection Board (SSB) and earned her place at the Indian Military Academy. Under special permission, she underwent six months of intense military training, matching the high standards set for officer cadets.
One of NDA’s First Women Cadets
Currently, eight women officer cadets are undergoing training in the Indian Army. All of them belong to the first women batch selected through the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2022. Sai’s success is expected to inspire many young women across the country to consider careers in the armed forces.
Achieving Success at Just 23
At just 23 years of age, Sai Jadhav has achieved what no woman had before. She is now set to take part in the prestigious passing-out parade at the Chetwode Building in June 2026, marching shoulder to shoulder with male cadets.
Her father, Sandeep Jadhav, expressed deep pride, saying that watching his daughter pass out from the same academy that produces the nation’s finest officers is the proudest moment of his life.
Sai Jadhav’s journey stands as a powerful symbol of determination, discipline, and the changing face of India’s armed forces.
