Mai Bhago Institute Cadet Mehakpreet Kaur Secures AIR 1 in Air Force Academy

Punjab's Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) has achieved a significant milestone with two of its female cadets securing top national rankings for entry into India's defense services. Mehakpreet Kaur, a cadet of the institute, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the Air Force Academy merit list, while fellow cadet Komalpreet Kaur has achieved AIR 18 and earned selection to the National Defence Academy (NDA). The accomplishment has been hailed as a major achievement for the institute and a testament to the growing participation of women in the armed forces.

The announcement was made by Maj. Gen. J. S. Sandhu (Retd.), Director of the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in Mohali. According to institute officials, both cadets demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the selection process and emerged among the country's top candidates. Their success reflects the institute's efforts to prepare young women for careers in the defense services through specialized training and mentorship programs.

Mehakpreet Kaur, who secured the top rank in the Air Force Academy merit list, hails from village Paprali in Punjab's Ropar district. She is the daughter of Amarjit Singh, a farmer, and Rupinder Kaur, a homemaker. Her achievement places her at the forefront of candidates selected for training and commissioning in the Indian Air Force, marking a proud moment for her family and community.

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Komalpreet Kaur, who secured AIR 18, has been selected to join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla in Maharashtra. She is the daughter of Havildar Gurmeet Singh of the Indian Army and Baljit Kaur and belongs to village Shahura in Amritsar district. Her selection continues the growing representation of women in the NDA following the opening of the prestigious military academy to female candidates in recent years.

The success of the two cadets highlights the role of preparatory institutions such as Mai Bhago AFPI in nurturing talent from diverse social and economic backgrounds. The institute was established by the Punjab government to encourage and prepare young women for entry into the armed forces and other uniformed services through structured academic and physical training programs.

Defense officials and educators have welcomed the achievement, describing it as an inspiration for aspiring candidates across the country. The accomplishments of Mehakpreet and Komalpreet are expected to encourage more young women to pursue careers in the military and contribute to the increasing participation of women in leadership and operational roles within India's armed forces.

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