From cadets to commanders: 491 officers pass out of IMA

Tears of pride, thunderous applause and perfectly timed salutes marked a defining moment at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here on Saturday as 491 cadets marched past for the final time, stepping into their new roles as commissioned officers of the Indian Army.

The grand Passing Out Parade of the Autumn Term 2025 was held at the historic Drill Square in front of the iconic Chatwood Building, symbolising the culmination of months of intense physical training, mental conditioning and leadership grooming. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the parade, taking the salute as the young officers displayed precision, discipline and confidence.

Adding an international dimension to the ceremony, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also took part in the parade, underlining India’s growing stature as a trusted global hub for military training and cooperation.

In all, 525 officer cadets participated in the ceremony, drawn from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course and the Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course. With the ceremonial march, the cadets formally transitioned from trainees to leaders entrusted with the responsibility of command.

Top training honours were awarded to cadets who excelled during their course. Academy Cadet Adjutant Nishkal Dwivedi received the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ along with the gold medal for securing first place overall. The silver medal went to Battalion Under Officer Badal Yadav, while Senior Under Officer Kamaljeet Singh was awarded the bronze medal.

Course-specific awards were also presented. Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat topped the Technical Graduate Course to receive the silver medal, while Warrant Cadet Captain Abhinav Mehrotra secured first place in the Technical Entry Scheme-46. Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri was awarded the silver medal for the Special Commissioned Officers Course.

Among the foreign cadets, Junior Under Officer Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh stood first in overall merit. Imphal Company was conferred the Army Chief’s Banner for the best all-round performance during the Autumn Term.

The ceremony concluded with helicopters showering flower petals on the newly commissioned officers, creating a memorable visual as families looked on with pride. Addressing the officers, General Dwivedi congratulated them on successfully completing their demanding training and praised their discipline, leadership qualities and endurance. He reminded them that joining the Army marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to duty and selfless service, urging them to uphold the honour, traditions and values of the Indian Army.

Parents and guardians of the new officers were present to witness the milestone moment, marking the beginning of their wards’ service to the nation.