A tragic incident at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla has left the community mourning the loss of a 17-year-old cadet. Cadet Abhinav Bajpai, hailing from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, died on Friday morning following a medical emergency experienced during his first official physical training session at the academy.
Cadet Bajpai joined the NDA on June 24, 2026, and the incident occurred during a routine PT parade. According to an official statement from the Defence Public Relations Office and corroborated by the Ministry of Defence, the young cadet began to feel unwell during training and subsequently lost consciousness. Immediate action was taken to transport him to the Military Hospital on campus, where medical staff employed intensive resuscitation efforts to save his life. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
In light of the incident, the NDA has initiated a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event. The next of kin of the deceased cadet have been notified, and local law enforcement has been informed as part of standard protocol. The academy issued a statement offering “deepest condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time.”
The National Defence Academy is a key institution in India, responsible for training future officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Physical training is a fundamental aspect of the rigorous curriculum aimed at instilling endurance, discipline, and operational fitness in the cadets.
This incident marks the third cadet death reported at the NDA since October 2025, with previous fatalities arising from various circumstances, including one during swimming practice. The ongoing Court of Inquiry is expected to scrutinize all relevant details.
As developments unfold, defense authorities have assured that standard operating procedures were adhered to in responding to the medical emergency. The NDA community and the Indian Armed Forces share in the sorrow over the untimely passing of a promising young cadet who had just embarked on his military career.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available from the Court of Inquiry or the Ministry of Defence.
