Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from the 143rd NDA Passing Out Parade

The 143rd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) saw 300 cadets concluding their training with a Passing Out Parade on Wednesday. The cadets marched past the Antim Pag and the Quarterdeck flag mast on the Khetarpal Parade Ground to the tune of Auld Lang Syne played by the military band.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar reviewed the Passing Out Parade (POP), which included a total of 1,065 cadets. This number consisted of 300 passing out cadets, comprising 207 Army cadets, 39 Naval cadets, and 54 Air Force cadets. Additionally, 19 cadets from friendly foreign countries like Bhutan, Tajikistan, and Maldives participated.

After completing their training at the NDA, the cadets will undergo one more year of pre-commissioning training at their respective Armed forces academies – the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, and the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana.

Battalion Cadet Captain Gaurav Yadav received the President’s Gold Medal for achieving the first position in the overall order of merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant Sourav Sharma won the President’s Silver Medal for standing second, while Cadet Quarter Master Sergeant Vivek won the President’s Bronze Medal for standing third. The Kilo Squadron was awarded the prestigious Chiefs of Staff Banner for being the Champion Squadron.

Prior to the POP, a physical training and equestrian display was held at the NDA’s Bombay Stadium, showcasing 250 cadets and 72 horses.

During the POP, NDA cadets demonstrated jointmanship drill with synchronised attack exercises by the Navy and Air Force, followed by an infantry platoon assault and capture of enemy bunkers. The Griffin team of the elite marine Commandos performed skydiving and landed in the Bombay Stadium.

Following the POP, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force held a display in the skies above the NDA. The team, led by Group Captain GS Dhillon, flies nine Hawk Mk132 aircraft and has completed more than 600 displays across India and in several foreign countries.