Priya Jhingan: First Woman Cadet In The Indian Army| Women's Day Special

While patriarchal narratives prefer painting women as delicate creatures, back in 1992, India was fortunate to have Priya Jhingan, a girl with the grit to become the first-ever female cadet of the Indian Army.

The induction of women as officers was then hailed as a revolutionary move in the history of the Indian Army.

Priya's journey started with one brave letter to the then Chief of Army Staff General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, on the importance of letting women serve the nation as well in the military.

“I wanted to do it for my country. That is why I wrote that classic letter to the Chief of Army Staff to allow the commission to women into the Army. I wanted to march through life wearing the olive green uniform,” she once said in an interview with The Better India.

In several media interviews, Priya, the daughter of a police officer, said that right from the beginning she knew that she wanted to serve her nation in some way. Initially, she wished to join the Indian Police Service (IPS) just like her father. At that time, the thought of joining the Indian Army was nothing but a far-fetched dream for her. She had decided to pursue law before the letter to the COAS changed her life.

A Turning Point In Priya's Life

At a time when joining the Indian Army was exclusive to men, Priya Jhingan penned a letter to COAS General Rodrigues emphasizing why opening the gates of the Indian Army for women was important.

What happened next was the biggest highlight of Priya's life till then. A personal reply from the COAS saying that the defence forces were planning to induct women officers in a year or two carved her career path. The letter that gave her the moral boost is her most prized possession now.

Priya Joins Training Academy In Chennai

In 1992, the Indian Army released an advertisement inviting women to join the Army. On 21 September 1992, a batch of 25 similar-spirited lady cadets was inducted into the Indian Army. Priya was enrolled as Lady Cadet No.1 at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

Sharing memories of her training period, Priya said that strenuous physical training matching the exact routine of the male cadets at the academy prepared them mentally and physically for daunting challenges. She mentioned that the women were considered just another batch of cadets there and no added gentleness or gender-based treatments were shown towards them in the academy.

Highlights Of Priya's Career

Priya topped the Young Officers’ Course and was awarded an ‘Instructor Grading’. Upon successful completion of the rigorous training, on 6 March 1993 Priya was commissioned as an officer into the Judge Advocate General라이브 바카라 Department of the Indian Army.

Although she wished to join the Infantry Corps, that dream of hers remained unfulfilled as women are still not allowed to perform combat roles.

During her decade-long career, she conducted several court-martials, defended military cases in High Courts, trained troops and staff in legal procedures, and ran a team successfully.

In 2002, Priya retired as a Major as the first batch of women officers did not have the option to continue beyond 10 years.

In February 2018, Priya was recognised and felicitated by the President of India as the first woman who join the Indian Army