Siddhi Jain, who once aspired to crack the IIT-JEE, has made history as the first female cadet ever to earn the coveted President’s Medal at the National Defence Academy (NDA)’s 149th Passing Out Parade, a moment that has ignited pride and inspired hope across India.
From IIT dreams to defence calling
Hailing from Ujhani in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, Siddhi had initially charted a conventional academic path: she was preparing vigorously for IIT-JEE in Kota and had secured admission to a top-tier engineering institute, the National Institute of Technology (NIT). However, despite a promising future in engineering, she chose a drastically different course, one filled with discipline, risk, and purpose.
That decision came after she opted to leave behind the promise of a stable engineering career in favour of joining the armed forces. Her first attempt at NDA ended in disappointment when she was screened out at the SSB. Yet, refusing to accept defeat, she enrolled at Centurion Defence Academy, where under rigorous training and mentorship she rebuilt her resolve, focused on cracking NDA entry and succeeded on her second attempt.
Rising through the ranks where hard work meets grit
At NDA, Siddhi’s journey was defined by resilience. Through three years of gruelling physical and mental training, spanning academics, military drills, leadership challenges, and service-subject coursework she outshone peers in performance and discipline.
As the 329 cadets of the 149th batch marched out, 15 women from this cohort completed their training. But only Siddhi earned a place in the overall order of merit, clinching the President’s Bronze Medal and the title of Best All-Round Air Cadet.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, who presented the medal, praised Siddhi’s achievement as a defining moment for women in uniform. “Her performance sets a new benchmark of excellence and reflects the growing strength and leadership of women in the armed forces,” he said, calling her dedication an example of the future India envisions for its military leadership.
Why her journey inspires future candidates
Siddhi’s story speaks volumes: it’s about daring to choose purpose over predictability; it’s about transforming rejection into renewed determination; and it’s about proving that gender is no barrier when willpower is strong.
Recalling the tough days after her first rejection and the confidence she regained through training, Siddhi said with pride, “One setback cannot decide your future, today I stand here proving that determination always wins.”
Her victory underlines how early setbacks like a failed first attempt do not define ambition. As she moves on to the Air Force Academy for further training, her commitment shines through: to serve with honour and inspire thousands of young girls to chase their dreams fearlessly.
In choosing uniform over engineering, resilience over comfort, and grit over certainty, Siddhi Jain has not only carved a path for herself, but also paved the way for many more to follow.