With the emotional and nostalgic Scottish tune of Auld Lang Syne playing, and the majestic backdrop of the Sahyadri hills, the cadets from the historic 148th course of the National Defence Academy, including the first batch of 17 women cadets, marched on the Khetrapal Ground, marking the end of their three-year challenging training.As many as 338 cadets participated in the Passing Out Parade (POP), which was reviewed by General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), former Chief of Army Staff and current Governor of Mizoram. Gen Singh addressed the passing-out cadets, and ceremonially pinned medals on those who earned top honours of the course.The President’s Gold Medal was awarded to Battalion Cadet Adjutant Prince Raj of Charlie Squadron. The President’s Silver Medal was awarded to Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi of the Golf Squadron. The President’s Bronze Medal went to Battalion Cadet Captain Tejas Bhat of November Squadron. The Chiefs of Staff Banner was awarded to the Golf Squadron.Each year, India’s premier tri-services academy witnesses the graduation and passing out of two batches of cadets.On Thursday, the convocation ceremony for the 148th course of NDA was held, and 339 cadets, including 17 women, were awarded their degrees and course completion certificates. The cadets were conferred with degrees and course completion certificates from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at the convocation of the 148th course of the NDA.Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh, who is from the first batch of women cadets, became an academic topper by standing first in the Arts stream.Situated amidst the scenic foothills of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, NDA is often hailed as the cradle of military leadership. Upon completing their three-year training at NDA, the cadets proceed to their respective armed forces’ academies for an additional year of pre-commissioning training. This includes the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kerala; the Indian Military Academy in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun for the Army; and the Air Force Academy at Dundigal in Telangana.Story continues below this adIn August 2021, the Supreme Court passed an interim order while hearing a plea seeking directions to allow eligible women to take the entrance examination for the NDA and Naval Academy conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The apex court asked UPSC to issue a corrigendum in keeping with its interim direction. The court, however, said that admission of women candidates will be subject to the final ruling on the petition.The first batch of women cadets joined the NDA in July-August 2022 as part of its 148th course.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:NDApune