Siddhi Jain is the first woman in the history of the National Defence Academy (NDA) to receive the President’s Medal. Her achievement is a major moment for India and a strong example of how hard work and courage can change lives. Siddhi Jain’s journey shows that even after failure, a person can rise again and reach the highest levels of success.
She comes from Ujhani in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district. Her parents are teachers, and she was a bright student from the beginning. But what makes her story special is not only her academic strength, but also her strong will, discipline, and dream to serve the country in uniform.
This article explains her journey, her training, her struggles, and the history she created at the NDA.
Who Is Siddhi Jain?
Siddhi Jain became the first-ever woman cadet to receive the President’s Medal at the NDA. This medal is given to the best all-round cadet who performs well in academics, physical training, leadership, and military qualities.
She also earned the title of Best All-Round Air Cadet. This means she scored high in all Air Force-related subjects and training. Senior officers called her achievement “a new benchmark” for women in the armed forces.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, who presented the medal to her, said that Siddhi Jain represents growing strength and leadership among women in the defence services.
Her success is a big moment for the NDA because women began joining the academy only recently. With this medal, Siddhi Jain proved that women can achieve the highest positions with dedication and discipline.
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Siddhi Jain Journey From IIT Aspirant to NDA Topper
Before joining the NDA, Siddhi Jain was preparing for IIT-JEE in Kota. She worked hard, scored a high rank, and even got admission to an NIT. Her parents were proud of her, and her future in engineering looked bright.
But Siddhi wanted something more meaningful. She wanted to serve the nation. She wanted a life filled with discipline, responsibility, and honour. So she left her engineering path and focused fully on the defence forces.
Her first attempt to join the NDA was not successful. She was screened out at the SSB interview. But she did not give up. Instead, she joined Centurion Defence Academy for training. Under the guidance of Defence Psychologist Shishir Dixit, she rebuilt her confidence and performance.
On her second attempt, Siddhi Jain cleared the NDA exam and began her three-year training.
Siddhi Jain NDA Training
NDA training is known to be one of the toughest in the country. Siddhi Jain’s first term was very challenging. The days were long, the discipline was strict, and the physical training was intense. Many cadets feel pressure during the first term, and Siddhi also faced the same.
But she stayed strong. Every day, she worked with focus. She improved her physical fitness, her academics, her leadership skills, and her officer-like qualities. Step by step, she grew into a confident cadet who always performed at a high level.
Her consistent performance placed her in the overall order of merit. This made her the first woman in NDA history to win a medal in the overall merit list. It is a rare achievement even for male cadets, and Siddhi Jain received this honour only three years after the academy opened its doors to women.
Her parents say that they never expected her to join the military, but today they consider her an inspiration for every girl who dreams big.
Siddhi Jain Future in the Indian Air Force
Siddhi Jain will now move to the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, for her final training. There she will continue learning and preparing to become an officer in the Indian Air Force.
She has said that her goal is simple:
“To become an officer who makes the country proud and inspires more young girls to join the defence forces with courage.”
For thousands of young students across India, Siddhi has become a powerful example. Her life shows that it is alright to change paths if your heart calls you towards something greater. It also shows that one failure does not define your future. What truly matters is how strongly you try again.
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FAQs
Q.1. Who is Siddhi Jain?
Ans. Siddhi Jain is the first woman in NDA history to receive the President’s Medal for all-round excellence.
Q.2. What made Siddhi Jain famous?
Ans. She became famous for topping the overall merit list and creating history at the NDA.
Q.3. Was Siddhi Jain an IIT aspirant?
Ans. Yes, Siddhi prepared for IIT-JEE and even got admission to an NIT before choosing the NDA.
Q.4. Where does Siddhi Jain come from?
Ans. Siddhi Jain is from Ujhani in the Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh.
Q.5. What is Siddhi Jain’s next step?
Ans. She will continue her training at the Air Force Academy to become an officer in the Indian Air Force.
