Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), conducted a review of the Passing Out Parade of the G3 Batch at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, commemorating a pivotal moment in the training of medical officers for the Indian Armed Forces. The ceremony, attended by prominent figures including Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, the Director and Commandant of AFMC, and Maj Gen Giriraj Singh, the Dean and Deputy Commandant, along with senior military personnel, dignitaries, veterans, and proud families, saw the commissioning of 121 medical cadets from the 59th batch as officers into the Indian Armed Forces.
The event featured the commissioning of 95 officers into the Indian Army, 11 into the Indian Navy, and 15 into the Indian Air Force, underlining AFMC’s essential role in producing proficient medical professionals to meet the needs of the military. The parade illuminated the discipline and commitment of the cadets, embodying the institution’s 77-year legacy since its inception on May 1, 1948, following the BC Roy Committee’s recommendations.
In her address, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the first woman to occupy the esteemed position of DGAFMS, congratulated the newly commissioned officers and their families. She encouraged the young doctors to uphold the fundamental values of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), emphasizing selfless service, healing, and dedication to the nation. Sarin highlighted the Army Medical Corps motto, “Sarve Santu Niramayah” (Let all be free from disease), stressing the significance of maintaining AFMS’s proud traditions, which have historically supported the armed forces for over 258 years through various conflicts and peacetime.
Arti Sarin’s participation in the ceremony marked a significant historic event. Having served across all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—beginning as a Lieutenant in the Army, advancing to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Navy, and achieving the rank of Air Marshal in the Air Force—she has become the highest-ranking woman officer in Indian Armed Forces history. Her recent appointment as DGAFMS on October 1, 2024, represents a significant milestone, making her the sixth woman to achieve a three-star rank in the Indian Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Medical College has been instrumental in ensuring a consistent supply of medical officers and remains a vital cornerstone for military healthcare training in India. The Graduate Wing, established on August 4, 1962, has continuously produced distinguished doctors who serve the Army, Navy, and Air Force with excellence. This ceremony not only celebrated the accomplishments of the 59th batch but also reinforced AFMC’s unwavering commitment to superior medical education and serving the nation.
