Hyderabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) used its Director’s Parade on October 12, 2026, to mark a key stage for the 78th Regular Recruits (78RR) batch of IPS officer trainees. The event served as the formal build-up to the Passing Out Parade, also called the Dikshant Parade, and brought together 151 officer trainees, among them 16 foreign officers.
The parade was led by Shri Gourav Uppal, IPS probationer of the Punjab cadre belonging to the 78RR batch. SVPNPA Director Shri Sujeet Pandey, IPS (1994 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre), inspected the parade and addressed the probationers during the ceremony.
Awards Conferred During the Parade
Among the training honours announced at the event, IPS probationer Vijay Raghav Goyal, allotted to the Bihar cadre, received the Mehta Cup and the Medal for Best Probationer in Musketry. The recognition reflected his overall standing as well as his performance in musketry, which includes firearms handling, accuracy and safe weapon use.
Ms. Kuhoo Garg, IPS probationer of the Gujarat cadre, was awarded the Medal for Best Probationer in Drill. The award points to performance in precision, coordination, discipline and response to commands during outdoor training.
Other recognitions included the Medal for Best Lady Probationer in Physical Training for Ms. Kanika Yadav, IPS probationer of the AGMUT cadre, and the Medal for Best Gentleman Probationer in Physical Training for Shri Pema Wangdi, an officer trainee of the Royal Bhutan Police. In addition, 31 Academy officials received the Director’s Commendation Roll and Insignia for their contributions.
Training Context at SVPNPA
The 78RR batch is the 2024 batch of IPS officers undergoing basic professional training at SVPNPA, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Academy’s programme includes academic instruction and outdoor training such as drill, physical training, equitation and musketry, along with leadership development and practical policing skills before officers move to district practical training in their allotted cadres.
The Director’s Parade is held as a ceremonial rehearsal before the Dikshant Parade, which formally closes the Academy phase of training. The source also notes that the previous batch, 77RR, held its Passing Out Parade in October 2025 with a larger contingent, and that the presence of foreign officers continues SVPNPA’s role in international police training cooperation.
Shri Sujeet Pandey, who assumed charge of SVPNPA in July 2026, oversaw the event. The awards and parade proceedings highlighted the academy’s emphasis on discipline, professional competence and physical preparedness as the 78RR probationers near the transition to field responsibilities.
