Who was the first lady cadet to join the Indian Army?

Priya Jhingan became the first woman cadet to join the Indian Army, in 1992-93, when the Army opened its doors to women officers in non-medical roles for the first time. She was given the service number "Lady Cadet No. 001".

About Priya Jhingan:

She was a law graduate from Himachal Pradesh.

She had written a letter to the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, asking that women be allowed to join the Army. In 1992, the Army announced that women could join through the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES).

She was part of the first batch of 25 women cadets who trained at the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

She was commissioned on 6 March 1993 into the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Department, the legal branch of the Army.

She served for about 10 years and retired as a Major in 2002.

Women in the Indian Army:

Before 1992, women served in the Army only in the medical services (such as the Army Medical Corps and the Military Nursing Service).

Women were first given only short service commissions. In the Babita Puniya case (2020), the Supreme Court ruled that women officers must be given permanent commission on an equal basis with men in the non-combat branches.

Since 2021-22, women can join the National Defence Academy (NDA), after a Supreme Court order.

Other women "firsts":

• Divya Ajith Kumar (2010): the first woman to win the "Sword of Honour" at the OTA, Chennai, as the best all-round cadet.
• Mitali Madhumita (2011): the first woman officer to receive the Sena Medal for gallantry.
• Punita Arora (2004): the first woman Lieutenant General.
• Shanti Tigga (2011): the first woman jawan (soldier), in the Territorial Army.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Punita Arora was the first woman Lieutenant General.
• ✗Mitali Madhumita was the first woman officer to receive the Sena Medal (gallantry).
• ✗Divya Ajith Kumar was the first woman to win the Sword of Honour (2010).