The Passing Out Parade of 145^th National Defence Academy Course was conducted at Khetarpal Parade Ground, NDA, Khadakwasla on 30 Nov 2023. The parade was reviewed by the President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu. For the first time, a contingent of 21 female cadets, presently in their third term of training, took part in the parade. A total of 1,225 cadets, including 21 from Friendly Foreign Countries, participated in the parade. 

On the occasion, the President paid homage to the brave hearts whose names are etched in the hallowed precincts of The Hut of Remembrance. She released a Commemorative Coin, Postal Stamp and First Day Cover of NDA as part of the 75 Glorious Years Celebrations of the iconic institution. She also laid a foundation stone for the No 5 Battalion at the NDA. 

The President, in her address, congratulated passing out course cadets, medal winners and the Champion Squadron for their hard work and overwhelming performances. She lauded the female cadets on choosing the profession of arms and expressed her happiness on witnessing the first batch of female cadets take part in the passing out parade. Smt Droupadi Murmu interacted with the medal winners and parents of cadets of the Passing Out Course.

The event was also attended by Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Bais, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Commandant, NDA Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar.

Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC) Pratham Singh won the President’s Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant (ACA) Jatin Kumar won the President’s Silver Medal for standing second in the overall order of merit and Battalion Cadet Adjutant (BCA) Harsh Wardhan Shailesh Bhonsle won the President’s Bronze Medal for standing third in the overall order of merit. ‘Juliet’ Squadron bagged the prestigious ‘Chiefs of Staff Banner’, for being the Champion Squadron which was presented during the parade.

The 21 cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries included those from Bhutan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar & Bangladesh. Out of 1225 cadets participated in the parade, 348 cadets were from the passing out course. These included 186 Army cadets, 36 Naval cadets and 105 Air Force cadets. The cadets will now join their respective Pre-Commissioning Training Academics. 

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ABB/Anand