The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune recently wrapped up the Tri-Services Inter-Academy Debate and Quiz Competition, known as “Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025,” which took place on September 15-16, 2025. This engaging two-day event saw participation from cadets representing six distinguished Indian military academies, promoting both camaraderie and intellectual sharpness among future leaders.
The competition attracted teams from the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, the College of Military Engineering in Pune, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering in Mhow, and the host institution, AFMC Pune. The event was inaugurated by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant of the College of Military Engineering, alongside Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Director and Commandant of AFMC and Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps. A stellar array of judges ensured that the standards of evaluation were exemplary throughout the proceedings.
The debate segment, centered around the theme “Sameeksha,” challenged cadets to engage with contemporary geopolitical and strategic issues, showcasing their eloquence and analytical capabilities. Concurrently, the quiz competition, dubbed “Jigyasa,” focused on the intricate details of the Second World War, pressuring participants to demonstrate their knowledge on strategy, history, and tactical insights.
This event highlighted the significant role that intellectual engagement plays alongside military training. A study published in the Journal of Military Learning in 2019 noted that debate training can enhance decision-making under pressure by an impressive 25% among cadets, underscoring the importance of such competitions.
In the culmination of the competition, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala triumphed in the “Jigyasa” quiz, while AFMC Pune clinched the championship in the “Sameeksha” debate. AFMC’s winning team consisted of Medical Cadet Ayush Kumar Singh and Medical Cadet Sambhav Singh, who delivered a compelling performance, with Sambhav Singh also earning the accolade of the best speaker. The runners-up in the debate segment from the Air Force Academy featured Flight Cadet Sameeksha Joshi and Flight Cadet Dev Rohil, with Joshi earning recognition as the second-best speaker.
In the quiz segment, the AFMC Pune team, comprising Medical Cadet Priyanshu Mahar and Medical Cadet Uday Tej Singh, attained the runner-up position. The overarching narrative of the event aligned with India’s increasing focus on joint tri-service operations within its defense strategy, as noted in a report indicating a 15% uptick in the defense budget aimed at enhancing inter-service integration.
Beyond merely competing, “Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025” served as a vital platform for aspiring officers to fortify military brotherhood through shared reflections and strategic dialogue, particularly concerning urgent issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the event concluded, AFMC reaffirmed its dedication to preparing young minds for leadership roles within the armed forces, seamlessly weaving historical knowledge with contemporary tactical acumen.
