A total of 353 cadets, including 21 from foreign countries, graduated from the National Defence Academy’s 150th course. Jawaharlal Nehru University conferred bachelor’s degrees on 236 cadets across science, arts, and computer science streams. Chief guest Kiran Bedi encouraged them to become “scholar warriors.”
A total of 353 cadets, including 21 from friendly foreign countries passed out from the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla in Maharashtra on May 30. These cadets were the part of NDA’s 150th course.
Jawaharlal Nehru University conferred bachelor’s degrees on 236 cadets during the ceremony, spread across three streams: 112 in computer science, 65 in science, and 59 in arts. The presence of foreign cadets – whose nations send officers-in-training to Khadakwasla as part of bilateral military cooperation arrangements, underscores the academy’s role not merely as a training institution but as a soft-power instrument of Indian foreign policy.
The chief guest, Kiran Bedi, the retired IPS officer and former lieutenant governor of Puducherry, urged the graduating cadets to think of themselves as “scholar warriors” – officers equipped to lead in what she described as an increasingly dynamic and complex global security environment. Bedi, who broke barriers as India’s first female IPS officer in 1972, has remained a prominent voice on discipline, governance, and leadership.
The academic report was presented by Vinay Deep, officiating principal of the NDA.
Among the academic toppers, cadet Ranvijay Tyagi of ‘J’ Squadron led the computer science stream with a final grade point average of 8.50, receiving the commandant’s silver medal and the admiral’s rolling trophy – instituted by Admiral Sureesh Mehta, the former chief of naval staff.
In the science stream, cadet Peeyush Rautela of ‘M’ Squadron topped with an FGPA of 7.97, earning the commandant’s silver medal and the COAS rolling trophy, instituted by General K. Sunderji.
Cadet Sushant Varma of ‘P’ Squadron led the social science stream with an FGPA of 7.35 and received the commandant’s silver medal and the CAS trophy, presented by air chief marshal N.C. Suri.
In the B.Tech stream, cadet Mannela Nithin of ‘G’ Squadron recorded the highest cumulative grade point average of 8.18 over six semesters of NDA training, winning the commandant’s silver medal and the CISC trophy, awarded by headquarters integrated defence staff.
The NDA, established in 1954 at Khadakwasla near Pune, is among Asia’s oldest tri-service academies. Cadets undergo a three-year residential training programme before commissioning into the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
The 150th course marks a significant institutional milestone for an academy that has trained generations of senior Indian military officers, including several chiefs of staff.
The passing-out parade, typically a separate ceremonial event held on the NDA’s parade ground, draws families of cadets and senior defence officials. Friday’s convocation was the academic counterpart, focused on degree conferment and recognition of academic achievement.