In a momentous achievement, Rutuja Warhade, a student from Pune, has secured the top rank among female candidates and third overall in the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, as per the latest UPSC merit list.
This year, over 1.5 lakh girls competed for just 27 NDA seats reserved for female aspirants—making Rutuja’s accomplishment all the more impressive. The milestone also comes just three years after NDA opened its gates to women in 2021, marking a historic stride toward gender inclusion in the Indian Armed Forces.
The daughter of educators—her father a professor and mother a math tutor—Rutuja credits her success to their unwavering support. Inspired to join the armed forces since Class 9, she began preparing seriously in Class 11, eventually also clearing the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)—a vital step toward her dream of becoming an Army pilot.
“I was aiming for the top 10 but never expected this high a rank,” she said, beaming with pride.
Rutuja is set to join the NDA in June 2025, becoming the first in her family to serve in the military. Already training rigorously for the intense physical regimen, she runs daily, gradually increasing her stamina and strength.
Her journey stands as a beacon of determination, discipline, and trailblazing spirit for young women across the country.
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