Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande presided over the Passing Out Parade of the 146th Course at the National Defence Academy (NDA) at the Khetarpal Parade Ground, Khadakwasla. A total of 1,265 cadets participated in the event, with 337 cadets graduating from the course.
This group included 199 Army Cadets, 38 Naval Cadets, and 100 Air Force Cadets, alongside 19 cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries such as Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Maldives. Notably, 24 female cadets, currently in their third and fourth terms of training, also took part in the parade.
Renowned as the cradle of military leadership, the NDA is India’s premier Joint Services Training Institution. The 146th course began in June 2021, and after three years of intensive military training, the cadets are now set to join their respective Pre-Commissioning Training Academies.
The parade saw Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC) Shobhit Gupta awarded the President’s Gold Medal for achieving the highest overall merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant (ACA) Manik Tarun received the President’s Silver Medal for second place, and BCC Anni Nehra earned the President’s Bronze Medal for third place.
The Golf Squadron, recognized as the Champion Squadron, received the prestigious ‘Chiefs of Staff Banner’ during the ceremony.
In his address, General Pande congratulated the graduating cadets, medal recipients, and the Champion Squadron for their dedication and outstanding performances. He extended heartfelt gratitude to the parents of the graduating cadets for their support and encouraged the cadets to embody the spirit of jointness throughout their military careers. He also highlighted the importance of technological advancements in the ongoing revolution in military affairs.
Following the parade, a solemn ceremony was held at the Hut of Remembrance at the NDA, where General Pande paid homage to the fallen heroes whose names are honored within its walls. Constructed by cadets of the 10th to 17th courses, the Hut of Remembrance stands as a testament to bravery, courage, and selfless service. The memorial’s walls bear witness to the extraordinary valor and sacrifices of NDA alumni over the past 75 years.
