NDA Passing Out Parade 2025: Complete Guide to India’s Most Prestigious Military Ceremony

An NDA Passing Out Parade (POP) is a formal military ceremony marking the culmination of three years of intensive tri-service training at India’s National Defence Academy. During this ceremonial event, approximately 300-350 cadets are formally commissioned as officers into the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

The parade showcases rigorous military drill, synchronized formations, and formal award presentations, symbolizing the transition from cadet status to commissioned officer rank. It’s held annually at Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla, Pune, typically in May and November, and is considered one of India’s most significant military traditions.

NDA training lasts exactly three years before cadets participate in the Passing Out Parade. During this period, cadets undergo rigorous tri-service training combining academic education, physical conditioning, military discipline, and leadership development.

They study subjects ranging from defence science and military history to advanced mathematics while participating in combat drills, mountaineering, swimming, and various sports. By the end of three years, cadets have completed approximately 450+ academic, physical, and military training modules, preparing them for officer-level responsibilities across multiple defence domains.

An NDA Passing Out Parade follows a meticulously choreographed format consisting of five main phases. First, cadets perform immaculate drill movements with synchronized marching, showcasing military precision and jointmanship. Second, the reviewing officer (typically a high-ranking military official or government dignitary) formally inspects the cadets.

Third, prestigious medals are awarded to top-performing cadets including the President’s Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal. Fourth, the reviewing officer delivers a keynote address emphasizing military values and national defence priorities. Finally, cadets perform “Antim Pag,” their final ceremonial march as trainees, symbolizing transition to officer status, often concluding with a military flypast featuring aircraft and helicopters.

The NDA Passing Out Parade takes place at Khetarpal Parade Ground, located within the National Defence Academy campus at Khadakwasla, Pune. This historic venue sits at the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountains, providing a scenic backdrop for the ceremony.
The parade ground is named after Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra (PVC) recipient who demonstrated extraordinary valour during India’s 1971 war. This location symbolizes military excellence and sacrifice, reinforcing the values cadets are expected to embody throughout their defence careers.

The NDA Passing Out Parade features a comprehensive awards system recognizing excellence across multiple categories. The President’s Gold Medal is the highest honour, awarded to the cadet with the best overall performance in academics, physical fitness, and character. The Silver Medal goes to the second-best performing cadet, while the Bronze Medal recognizes the third-best.

Additionally, the Chief of Staff Banner is awarded to the top-performing squadron among all cadet units. Stream-specific awards include the Commandant’s Silver Medal and service-specific trophies—the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Trophy for Army cadets, Admiral’s Trophy for Navy cadets, and Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Trophy for Air Force cadets. Academic toppers in Science, Computer Science, Arts, and B.Tech programs receive departmental rolling trophies.

Typically, 300-350 cadets are commissioned at each NDA Passing Out Parade, making it annually India’s largest military commissioning event. The 149th Course, for example, commissioned 329 cadets into the Indian Armed Forces. Among these, approximately 70% join the Indian Army, while the remaining 30% split between the Navy and Air Force. Additionally, 18 cadets from friendly foreign nations receive commissioning and degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University, reinforcing India’s defence partnerships with allied nations globally.

Yes, women can now attend NDA and participate in Passing Out Parades following the Supreme Court’s 2021 directive enabling women’s admission. This historic decision culminated in 2025 with the first-ever batch of 17 female cadets successfully completing NDA training and participating in the 148th Course Passing Out Parade in May 2025. These pioneering women received identical training, faced identical performance standards, and earned full degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Notably, Cadet Shriti Daksh topped the Arts stream, becoming the first woman to achieve this distinction at NDA—a remarkable achievement highlighting women’s exceptional capabilities in competitive military excellence and proving that gender inclusion strengthens India’s officer corps.

The NDA Passing Out Parade is broadcast live on YouTube, enabling millions of Indians and defence enthusiasts worldwide to witness the ceremony in real-time. News channels including Doordarshan, India Today, and other defence-focused media provide comprehensive live coverage. Defence education platforms and military channels stream the full ceremony with expert commentary.
Additionally, the NDA official website and Defence Ministry platforms post highlights and complete recordings shortly after the event. This digital accessibility democratizes participation, allowing families unable to attend in person, defence aspirants seeking inspiration, and military enthusiasts to experience this prestigious event. You can search “NDA Passing Out Parade Live” on YouTube to find the latest broadcast of each course commissioning.

After the Passing Out Parade, cadets transition to service-specific pre-commissioning academies for specialized training. Army officers proceed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for six months to one year of advanced tactical training. Naval officers move to the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, Kerala, for specialised naval operations training.
Air Force officers join the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad for aviation-specific and advanced military training. Navy and Air Force cadets pursuing B.Tech programs complete their final year at these specialized academies while earning their engineering degrees. Following pre-commissioning training, officers assume their first postings in various military commands across India and internationally, beginning their operational defence careers.

The NDA Passing Out Parade holds immense significance for India’s defence apparatus as it annually commissions approximately 1,300-1,400 officers across multiple courses who become key contributors to national security. These officers, trained in jointmanship and tri-service cooperation, are equipped to address complex contemporary security challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. The ceremony symbolizes India’s commitment to military excellence, disciplined leadership, and constitutional values of service and sacrifice.
For defence aspirants, witnessing the parade provides inspiration and practical benchmarks regarding training rigour, performance standards, and competitive environment. Additionally, the inclusion of female cadets and foreign officers underscores India’s progressive defence policies and its role as a regional security provider. The parade ultimately represents India’s march toward maintaining military preparedness, technological adaptation, and human resource development essential for safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and strategic interests.

“Antim Pag” literally means “final step” in Hindi, and it’s one of the most emotionally resonant traditions during the NDA Passing Out Parade. This ceremony occurs when cadets march out of the National Defence Academy grounds for the final time as trainees. The “Antim Pag” symbolizes their formal transition from cadet status to commissioned officer rank.
As cadets perform this ceremonial march, often leaving friends and mentors behind, the moment frequently draws thunderous applause, visible emotion, and strong reactions from families and attendees. The tradition encapsulates the bittersweet nature of military graduation—pride in achievement coupled with nostalgia for academy years. For defence aspirants, understanding and witnessing Antim Pag reinforces the emotional and professional significance of military service commitment.

NDA’s three-year training combines rigorous academics, physical conditioning, character development, and military-specific instruction to prepare cadets for officer-level responsibilities. The academic curriculum includes defence science, military history, strategic studies, mathematics, physics, and humanities—providing intellectual foundation for leadership decisions. Physical training builds endurance, resilience, and tactical awareness through combat drills, mountaineering, swimming, and competitive sports. Character development emphasizes values like honour, integrity, loyalty, and service-before-self through case studies, mentorship, and practical leadership scenarios. Military-specific training includes drill, weapon handling, tactics, and fieldcraft unique to each service. The tri-service environment ensures cadets develop jointmanship and inter-service cooperation essential for modern defence operations. By graduation, cadets have developed not only technical military knowledge but also ethical and leadership competencies required to command troops, make tactical decisions under pressure, and uphold constitutional values.

Khetarpal Parade Ground, situated within NDA Khadakwasla, Pune, is named after Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a legendary Param Vir Chakra (PVC) recipient—India’s highest military decoration for valour. Khetarpal demonstrated extraordinary courage during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War at the Battle of Basantar, personally leading troops despite being mortally wounded, ultimately sacrificing his life for the nation.

The parade ground’s naming honors his indomitable courage and spirit of sacrifice, embodying values every NDA cadet is expected to uphold. Located at the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountain range, the venue provides a majestic backdrop emphasizing the solemnity and dignity of military commissioning. The historical connection reinforces why cadets marching at Khetarpal Parade Ground are stepping into a legacy of service, sacrifice, and national duty—transforming civilians into officers dedicated to constitutional protection and national integrity.

The NDA Passing Out Parade is held twice annually—typically in May and November—corresponding to the completion of Spring and Autumn courses. Each parade commissions approximately 300-350 cadets across the three services. This semi-annual commissioning schedule ensures continuous replenishment of India’s officer corps, with roughly 1,300-1,400 officers commissioned annually across multiple NDA courses.
The May ceremony typically occurs during late May, while the November parade happens in late November. This regular schedule is coordinated with the academic calendar and training progression, ensuring systematic development of military leadership across all service branches.

The Convocation Ceremony and Passing Out Parade are two distinct but complementary events. The Convocation Ceremony occurs first, typically the day before the Passing Out Parade, and is an academic event where cadets are formally conferred degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University. During Convocation, academic excellence is recognized through departmental awards, toppers are felicitated, and families witness their wards’ educational achievement.
The Passing Out Parade, held the following day, is the military commissioning ceremony where cadets are formally inducted into the armed forces through ceremonial drill, military awards, oath-taking, and the “Antim Pag” tradition. Together, these events symbolize the dual transition—from student to graduate (Convocation) and from cadet to commissioned officer (POP)—representing the holistic development emphasized at NDA combining rigorous academics with military excellence.

The NDA Passing Out Parade serves as powerful inspiration for defence aspirants in multiple ways. Witnessing the ceremony provides tangible evidence of NDA’s training output, the calibre of officers produced, and the rigorous standards maintained. Cadets’ synchronized drill movements demonstrate physical excellence and discipline required for military service. Award ceremonies showcase the competitive excellence environment, motivating aspirants to set high performance benchmarks.
The inclusion of female cadets since 2025 expands representation and inspiration for women considering military careers. Stories of individual cadets achieving top academic and physical honours provide role models demonstrating excellence is attainable through dedication. For SSB (Services Selection Board) interview candidates, studying Passing Out Parade ceremonies provides insights into military values, officer expectations, and service ethos. Additionally, the ceremony’s formal structure, ceremonial traditions, and emphasis on jointmanship communicate the institution’s commitment to producing world-class military leaders prepared for contemporary defence challenges.

The Reviewing Officer, typically a high-ranking military official such as the Navy Chief, Army Commander, or Air Chief Marshal, plays a ceremonial and symbolic leadership role during the Passing Out Parade. The Reviewing Officer formally inspects the parade, evaluating cadets’ military bearing, drill precision, and overall readiness. They address the cadets with motivational remarks emphasizing military values, national defence priorities, and contemporary strategic challenges. The Reviewing Officer presents prestigious medals and awards to outstanding cadets, personally recognizing excellence.
By presiding over the ceremony, the Reviewing Officer links the graduating cadets to the operational military establishment, symbolizing their acceptance into the armed forces hierarchy. Their presence, remarks, and actions underline that these cadets are now recognized as commissioned officers worthy of senior military leadership’s respect and confidence.

Female cadet inclusion beginning with the 148th Course in 2025 has enriched NDA Passing Out Parade traditions while maintaining their ceremonial essence. The first batch of 17 female cadets marched with equal precision, wore identical uniforms, and competed under identical performance standards as male counterparts. Their presence diversified the marching contingents, adding visual representation of gender inclusion in India’s defence forces. Female cadets received identical medal recognition—Cadet Siddhi Jain earned Bronze Medal, while Cadet Shriti Daksh topped the Arts stream, becoming the first woman to achieve this distinction.

This inclusion symbolizes modernization of military traditions to reflect constitutional values of equality while maintaining rigorous excellence standards. The historic achievement motivates future generations of women to pursue military careers, gradually increasing female representation in subsequent courses and transforming the institutional culture toward greater inclusivity without compromising military discipline or operational standards.

The NDA admits cadets from various friendly nations allied with India, typically 15-20 international cadets per course. These foreign cadets receive identical training, face identical performance standards, and earn full Jawaharlal Nehru University degrees alongside Indian counterparts. Nations regularly sending cadets include Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and several African and South Asian allied nations.

During the 149th Course Passing Out Parade, 18 foreign cadets were commissioned, reinforcing India’s role as a regional security provider and defence partner. International cadet inclusion demonstrates India’s commitment to defence cooperation, knowledge transfer, and strengthening ties with allied nations through shared military training. Foreign officers trained at NDA become ambassadors of Indian military professionalism in their home countries, enhancing defence diplomacy and regional security cooperation.

The NDA Passing Out Parade represents the practical manifestation of India’s long-term defence strategy emphasizing officer development, jointmanship, technological adaptation, and strategic readiness. The tri-service training environment at NDA ensures graduating officers understand multi-service operations essential for contemporary defence challenges. The emphasis on technology, as highlighted by Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi during the 149th Course POP, aligns with India’s defence modernization agenda incorporating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced surveillance, and digital warfare capabilities.
Female cadet inclusion supports India’s strategic emphasis on utilizing its complete human resource potential for strengthened defence. The commissioning of foreign officers reinforces India’s strategic positioning as a regional security provider and alliance builder. Post-commissioning careers of these officers contribute directly to military operations, defence planning, and national security execution. Thus, the Passing Out Parade is not merely ceremonial but represents India’s systematic investment in developing military leadership capable of safeguarding national interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.