Aastha Laheru Makes History as First Gujarati Girl to Join National Defence Academy

Aastha Laheru, a B.Tech student from Ahmedabad’s prestigious Nirma University, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Gujarati girl to secure admission into the esteemed National Defence Academy (NDA). Aastha’s selection in the NDA comes after successfully clearing the UPSC examination and undergoing a rigorous selection process conducted by a direct recruitment organization for officer positions in the various wings of the Indian Army. CM Bhupendra Patel personally met Aastha to commend her unwavering dedication to serving the army and the nation.

Hailing from the Maninagar area of Ahmedabad city, Aastha has nurtured a dream of pursuing a career in the Indian Army since her childhood. Her inspiration to join the armed forces was sparked during her 9th-grade studies when she watched a television program highlighting the Navy. Since then, Astha began her preparations for the NDA and Short Service Commission. Fortunately, the central government’s decision to open avenues for women recruitment in all three branches of the Indian Army made Aastha’s path to realizing her aspirations smoother. After successfully clearing the preliminary examination conducted by the UPSC, Aastha conquered the arduous five-day examination. Twice a year, the NDA recruits 400 officers, and this time, over seven lakh candidates participated in the examination, with only nine thousand being called for the Service Selection Board (SSB)

The Service Selection Board’s five-day test assesses candidates through a psychometric method and medical evaluations. The criteria include evaluating leadership qualities, decision-making skills, and a sense of community among the candidates. Astha successfully passed this test held in SSB Bhopal Centre, with her prior experience as an NCC cadet proving beneficial during the process. Among the 400 seats available, 10 are reserved for women in the Army, 6 in the Air Force, and 3 in the Navy. Astha secured the 59th rank overall and was selected for the Army seat, fulfilling her desired preference. She has now commenced her training at the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), located in Khadakwasla, Pune. Following three years of training, she will undergo pre-commission training in Dehradun. Subsequently, she will be awarded a B.Sc degree from JNU through her service in the Army, a unique privilege available to fortunate young individuals.

Aastha’s father, Deven Laheru, works as a software engineer, while her mother, Kuntal, is a homemaker. The noteworthy achievement of their daughter has garnered attention, including a personal meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who extended his warm congratulations to Aastha as the first Gujarati girl to be selected for the NDA. Aastha’s career path serves as an inspiring example for the youth of Gujarat.