A ceremonial parade took place at the Officers Training College in Lucknow on July 19, celebrating the successful completion of the Medical Officers Basic Course (MOBC-252). The event marked the graduation of 118 newly commissioned medical and dental officers, which included 34 women, indicating a promising trend toward increased gender diversity within the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). Official data reveals a 15 percent rise in female officer intake since 2020, reflecting ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity in the military.
Lieutenant General Shivinder Singh, Commandant of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre and College, served as the reviewing officer for the parade. He extended his congratulations to the young officers and encouraged them to approach their roles with compassion, humility, and unwavering professionalism. Lt Gen Singh is a distinguished officer with an extensive educational background, including an MD in Anesthesia from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, a Post Doctorate Certificate in Cardiac Anesthesia and Critical Care from Escorts Heart Institute, and a Diploma in Critical Care Medicine from the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. His participation underscored the AFMS’s commitment to excellence in both technical skills and compassionate medical care, a focus that resonates with a World Health Organization report highlighting a 20 percent increase in demand for empathetic medical services in conflict zones since 2015.
Among the graduates, Captain Gurmukh Varandani of 190 Military Hospital received the Best All-Round Officer award. This accolade is awarded based on criteria including academic performance, physical fitness, and demonstrated leadership qualities. Captain Varandani’s recognition exemplifies the demanding and comprehensive nature of military medical training, which prioritizes character development alongside clinical competencies—a perspective supported by a 2022 study in The Lancet that compared medical education outcomes between military and civilian sectors.
The ceremony, organized under the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services, featured traditional military drills alongside a formal award presentation. This event represents a significant milestone in the careers of the graduates, who are now poised to serve across various branches of the Indian military—be it Army, Navy, or Air Force—as they provide crucial support to troops during both peacetime and active conflict situations.
