The College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad has initiated the 21st edition of its flagship Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) in a ceremony that saw attendance by 154 Indian officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside 12 officers from allied nations. The event took place in the Ashoka Auditorium and featured an inaugural address from Commandant Major General Harsh Chhibber, who took up his post on March 31, 2025.
In his address, Major General Chhibber extended his congratulations to the selected officers and highlighted the transformative nature of the HDMC as a pathway to strategic leadership. He underscored the significance of the motto “Victory Through Excellence,” urging participants to leverage the program’s academic and professional rigor in facing contemporary military and defense management challenges.
The course spans 44 weeks and is specifically designed for senior officers at the rank of Colonel and equivalent. It harmoniously integrates modern management techniques with military strategy, emphasizing key areas such as strategic thinking, leadership, resource optimization, and inter-service cooperation. The inclusion of international officers showcases India’s growing global defense partnerships and the CDM’s vital role in fostering international military education.
The HDMC’s inauguration took place in the Ashoka Auditorium, a space that can accommodate 300 attendees and features state-of-the-art technology, signaling the institution’s dedication to providing high-quality learning environments. Visuals from the event captured the diverse representation of tri-service uniforms and international participants, adorned with their respective national flags on stage.
Established in 1970 in Sainikpuri, CDM is recognized as a premier tri-services institute, holding an NAAC A+ rating and accredited by the University Grants Commission. The institute trains over 500 officers each year across various programs, including the Senior Defence Management Course (SDMC) and Management Development Programmes (MDP). Its campus boasts modern facilities like the Aryabhatta IT Centre and the architecturally unique CDM Officers’ Mess.
The launch of HDMC 21 coincides with a critical phase of modernization and restructuring within the Indian Armed Forces, aimed at improving strategic mobility and combat readiness. Recent advancements, including the incorporation of BrahMos supersonic missiles and the development of a comprehensive two-layered ballistic missile defense system, highlight the necessity for effective military education in supporting India’s evolving defense posture.
Amid shifting global and regional dynamics, the HDMC seeks to equip its participants with the knowledge and skills needed for innovative and insightful leadership, fostering inter-service collaboration to prepare the Indian military for the complex strategic challenges ahead.
