Karnal, Oct. 13 -- At least 45 cadets from Sainik School Kunjpura in Karnal brought glory to their institution with a brilliant performance in the National Defence Academy (NDA) 2026 written examination, officials said on Monday. According to a statement, out of the total who cleared, 32 cadets are currently studying in Class 12, while 13 are pre-secondary students. School principal Captain (Indian Navy) Gurbir Singh said the result reflects the school's continued efforts to prepare young people aspiring to pursue careers in the armed forces. He said the aim of Sainik schools is to provide quality education to students while also developing leadership qualities, self-confidence, decision-making abilities, discipline, and a sense of service to the nation. "Success in the NDA written examination is an important step toward the cadets' dream of becoming military officers," he added. The Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) in Mohali has recorded its highest-ever success rate in the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination. According to the institute, seventeen of its cadets cleared the written test, marking the highest number of women clearing the exam from any government institute in the country, including Sainik Schools and Rashtriya Military Schools. 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. Their achievement is particularly significant in a field where women account for only 6% of NDA seats, compared with 94% for men. The cadets will now move to the next stage of the selection process, the Services Selection Board (SSB) assessment. Punjab employment generation, skill development and training minister Aman Arora congratulated the cadets, their families and faculty, describing the result as a historic moment for Punjab. He said Punjab was emerging as a leader in preparing women for the armed forces and expressed confidence that the cadets would excel in the SSB and subsequent stages....