The Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun recently added a historic new chapter to its nine-decade-long legacy. Lieutenant Sai Jadhav from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, achieved an extraordinary feat. She became the first woman officer cadet to successfully complete training at the esteemed institution. Consequently, her commissioning as an officer marks the breaking of a 93-year-old record. Since the IMA’s establishment in 1932, the academy had trained over 67,000 officer cadets, all of them men—until now.
Sai Jadhav’s achievement signals a major, transformative step toward greater gender inclusion within the Indian Army’s officer ranks. She successfully completed the intensive six-month specialized training course at the IMA. Thus, her journey instantly became a beacon of inspiration for countless young women across the country.
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A Legacy of Military Service
Sai Jadhav’s success is deeply rooted in a family with a strong tradition of military service. She represents the fourth consecutive generation of her family in uniform.
- Great-Grandfather: Served in the British Army.
- Grandfather: Served as an officer in the Indian Army.
- Father: Major Sandeep Jadhav, currently serves as an officer in the Territorial Army (TA).
This multi-generational heritage of discipline and dedication undoubtedly influenced her decision to pursue a career in the armed forces. Sai cleared a national-level competitive examination and the challenging Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. Subsequently, she earned her place at the IMA for the specialized course.
The Rigor of Training and Commissioning
Sai Jadhav trained under special permission for a six-month course at the IMA. She was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army (TA). She was the sole woman among the 16 officer cadets in the Territorial Army’s special course. She successfully completed the rigorous military training modules set at par with the high standards for all officer cadets.
Although she did not participate in the main Passing Out Parade march-past with the Regular Army cadets, her achievement remains monumental. During the commissioning ceremony, her parents had the profound honor of pinning the rank stars on her shoulders. Furthermore, her father expressed immense pride, noting the significance of seeing his daughter pass out from the same academy that produces the nation’s finest leaders.
Inspiring the Future of the Armed Forces
Lieutenant Sai Jadhav, at just 23 years old, shattered a long-standing barrier. Her success provides visible proof of the Indian Army’s evolving commitment to providing equal opportunities. In addition, the event highlighted an important announcement: beginning in June 2026, women officer cadets will undergo regular training at the IMA alongside their male counterparts and participate in the main Passing Out Parade. This development will further institutionalize gender integration.
Sai Jadhav’s message to young women is clear: the Armed Forces offer not only professional growth but also the esteemed honor of serving the nation. Her place in history symbolizes the shifting landscape of opportunities in the Indian Armed Forces.
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