Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (Mai Bhago AFPI) for Girls has been set up by Punjab government as an exclusive all girls training Institute. It is a unique, first of its kind initiative in the country for the girl child. The Institute provides a lifetime golden opportunity to 10 plus 2 level girls from Punjab to choose an elite career as a Commissioned Officer in the Defence Services. The Institute, named after Mai BhagoJi, the famous Sikh saint warrior, is laid out on a sprawling 9 acres beautifully landscaped area in Sector 66, SAS Nagar. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Sh Manohar Parrikar, inaugurated the Institute with its first batch of 25 Lady Cadets on 25 Jul 2015.

The Institute is fully residential and has all the modern facilities to include multi gym, swimming, shooting, sports fields, walking plaza etc. The training includes three years graduation in MCM DAV College Sector 36, Chandigarh; Sports and Physical Fitness, Personality Development, Communication Skills, Grooming, Extra Curricular Activities, NCC, Professional Training and preparation for SSB Interview. At the end of three years the Lady Cadets are made to appear in various competitive examinations, to seek admission into the Officer Training Academies, based on different Women Entry Schemes for commission into the Defence Services.

In a path breaking initiative, to consequent to the decision of the Central Government in 2022, to allow entry of women into the National Defence Academy, the Punjab Government in April 2023, has allowed entry to girls at 10+1 level also into Mai Bhago AFPI, for a two year course, to train them for selection to National Defence Academy at the end of their second year at Mai Bhago AFPI. Besides helping in women empowerment, this decision will also provide more opportunities for women of Punjab, to serve the nation.