Last verified: 13 October 2026. The 17-qualifier figure is confirmed by two independent reports — The Indian Express (13 Oct) and The Tribune (12 Oct). The “highest-ever tally” claim is the institute’s own claim, reported by both outlets; the names list and the minister’s quote come from those reports. Figures are labelled as CONFIRMED or REPORTED below.
Seventeen women cadets of the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali, have cleared the written stage of the UPSC NDA (II) 2026 examination — a result being described as a national first.
The Punjab government’s girls’ preparatory institute announced that 17 of its women cadets qualified in the NDA written exam. The successful cadets are Tanvi, Urvi, Simranpreet Kaur, Komalpreet Kaur, Pahuljeet Kaur, Jasmeet Kaur, Muskanpreet Kaur, Garima, Anisha, Pranya Kargwal, Jashandeep Kaur, Samridhi, Arshkiran Kaur, Sehajpreet Kaur, Japneet Kaur, Khushi and Jasleen Kaur.
The institute says this is the highest-ever tally of women qualifiers from any government institute in the country, including Sainik Schools and Rashtriya Military Schools — a claim reported, not independently audited, by both outlets.
Punjab’s Employment Generation Minister Aman Arora congratulated the cadets, calling it a historic moment for the state. “To break through a system where 94 per cent of seats are for boys requires extraordinary grit and brilliance, which these cadets have displayed in abundance,” he said.
The same result season also saw Mohali’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh AFPI record an 87.7 per cent success rate — 57 of 65 cadets qualifying — showing the scale of Punjab’s armed-forces prep machinery.
This is the 6-per-cent story. Only about 6 per cent of NDA seats are earmarked for women, against 94 per cent for men (CONFIRMED — both outlets). Seventeen qualifiers from one institute is significant precisely because the women’s field is so narrow.
If you are the parent of a girl preparing for AISSEE 2027, two facts should land:
How many girls from Mai Bhago AFPI cleared the NDA (II) 2026 written exam?
17 women cadets from the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Mohali, cleared the written examination, according to reports published on 12–13 October 2026. The institute says this is the highest tally of women qualifiers from any government institute in the country.
What share of NDA seats is reserved for women?
Only about 6 per cent of NDA seats are earmarked for women candidates, with the remaining 94 per cent for men, which is why the 17-girl tally is being called historic.
What is the next step after clearing the NDA written exam?
The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, followed by a medical examination. Only after those stages is the final merit list drawn up for the 158th NDA course.
Can girls join Sainik Schools through AISSEE 2027?
Yes. Girls are admitted to Class 6 in the 33 established Sainik Schools, with 10 per cent of vacancies (or 10 seats, whichever is more) reserved for them, and the AISSEE 2027 notification is expected soon on the NTA portal.
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