PUNE: The very first batch of girl cadets, now in their second year of three years of military-cum-academic training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, near Pune, will march along with male cadets at the passing-out parade of the academy's 145th course on November 30.

President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest.The girl cadets participated in the autumn and winter PoPs in the first two terms of their first year but were not part of the marching contingent.They can be part of the march only from the second year."It will be a historic moment for the academy on its Khetarpal ground.

At least 20 girl cadets will participate in the marching contingent.

They are practising hard in the rehearsals," an NDA officer said.The first batch of NDA female cadets has a strength of 19 (10 for Army, six for Air Force and three for Navy).

They are part of the 148th course and will graduate in May 2025.A majority of the military training activities has been carried out together, in a gender-neutral manner, since June 2022, NDA officers said.A training methodology already exists in other pre-commissioning academics like Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

However, girl cadets in NDA are younger as they join the academy on completion of their class XII.

"With minimum changes to curriculum, academics, drill and outdoor training are conducted as per the armed forces' requirements.

However, physical training is imparted as per the global standards for girl cadets," a senior NDA officer said.

Girl cadets will also take part in other activities, such as manning the mast, commentating, and guiding the guests.