17 Mai Bhago AFPI Cadets in Mohali Clear NDA Written Examਮੋਹਾਲੀ: ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ ਏਐੱਫਪੀਆਈ ਦੀਆਂ 17 ਕੈਡਿਟਾਂ ਨੇ ਐੱਨਡੀਏ ਲਿਖਤੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤੀ

Seventeen cadets of the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) in Mohali have cleared the written examination for the National Defence Academy (NDA), in a result the institute says is the highest-ever tally of women candidates clearing the exam from a single government institution in the country, ahead of Sainik Schools and Rashtriya Military Schools, The Indian Express reported on Monday.

Who are the 17 cadets who cleared the NDA written exam?

The successful cadets are Tanvi, Urvi, Simranpreet Kaur, Komalpreet Kaur, Pahuljeet Kaur, Jasmeet Kaur, Muskanpreet Kaur, Garima, Anisha, Pranya Kargwal, Jashandeep Kaur, Samridhi, Arshkiran Kaur, Sehajpreet Kaur, Japneet Kaur, Khushi and Jasleen Kaur. All 17 trained at the Punjab government-run institute in Mohali, which prepares young women from the state for entry into the armed forces as commissioned officers.

Why is the result being called historic?

Women account for only about 6 per cent of NDA seats, against 94 per cent for men, so every successful woman candidate has cleared a far narrower gate. Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora congratulated the cadets, calling the result a historic moment for Punjab and a victory for its women. He said clearing the examination in a system weighted so heavily towards boys demanded exceptional determination and merit, and that the cadets had shown both. The institute, for its part, has claimed the tally of 17 is a national record for a government institution.

What is the Mai Bhago AFPI in Mohali?

The Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute is a Punjab government residential institute for girls at Mohali in SAS Nagar district, named after the Sikh warrior Mai Bhago. It trains selected young women for permanent commission in the Indian armed forces through the defence academies. The Punjab government started a dedicated NDA Preparatory Wing for girls at the institute in July 2023. Under its three-year programme, cadets join after Class 10 and combine their Class 11 and 12 studies with daily military training, physical conditioning and coaching for the Services Selection Board (SSB) stage that follows the written examination.

What happens next for the cadets?

Clearing the written examination is the first major stage of NDA selection. The cadets will now look ahead to the SSB stage, the personality and aptitude assessment for which the institute's programme is specifically designed to prepare them over three years. Those who are finally recommended and make the merit list go on to join the National Defence Academy as cadets, on the path to becoming commissioned officers in the Army, Navy or Air Force.

How many Mai Bhago cadets cleared the NDA written exam?

Seventeen cadets of the Mai Bhago AFPI, Mohali, cleared the NDA written examination, which the institute says is the highest-ever tally from a government institution in the country.

Where is the Mai Bhago AFPI located?

The institute is at Mohali in Punjab's SAS Nagar district. It is a Punjab government residential institute that trains girls for commissioned entry into the armed forces.

When did the NDA Preparatory Wing for girls start?

The Punjab government started the NDA Preparatory Wing for girls at the Mai Bhago AFPI in July 2023.