Breaking Barriers: Civilian Cadets Soar to Glory at NDA After a Decade

Updated: December 01, 2025 01:29

Image Source: Gurukul Foundation

In a historic milestone, four cadets from civilian backgrounds emerged as academic toppers at the National Defence Academy’s 149th course convocation in Pune. Unlike peers from Sainik schools or defence families, these cadets overcame challenges of military discipline and training, proving that excellence at NDA transcends background and tradition.

The National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, witnessed a rare and inspiring achievement during the convocation of its 149th course. For the first time in a decade, four cadets from civilian backgrounds rose to the top, excelling academically and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with peers from traditional defence households and Sainik schools.

The cadets—Kartik Maheshwari, Ananya, Anurag Gupta, and Vishwesh Bhalerao—were honored as academic toppers across diverse streams including Science, Computer Science, Arts, and B.Tech. Their success underscores the inclusivity of NDA’s rigorous training, where determination and resilience matter more than prior exposure to military life.

Major Takeaways

Historic Achievement: First time in ten years that civilian-background cadets topped NDA’s convocation.

Academic Excellence: Toppers recognized across multiple disciplines—Science, Arts, Computer Science, and Engineering.

Challenging Transition: Civilian entrants had no prior exposure to drills, regimentation, or military discipline before joining NDA.

Inspirational Stories: Cadets cited inspirations like Sukhoi jets flying over Pune skies, fueling their childhood dreams of service.

Diverse Batch: The 149th course included 328 cadets, among them 15 female cadets from the academy’s second batch of women trainees.

Notable Updates

The Passing Out Parade (POP) was reviewed by Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who praised discipline, technological readiness, and the growing role of women in the armed forces.

The convocation highlighted NDA’s evolving culture, where civilian aspirants are breaking stereotypes and excelling alongside defence-background peers.

The achievement reflects NDA’s commitment to nurturing talent from all walks of life, reinforcing its role as a national melting pot of leadership.

Conclusion: The success of these four civilian-background cadets at NDA’s 149th course convocation is more than an academic triumph—it is a symbol of inclusivity and determination. Their journey proves that excellence in India’s premier military academy is not bound by background, but by courage, resilience, and the will to serve.

Sources: Times of India, Indian Express, Indian Masterminds

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