President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Droupadi Murmu, reviewed the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 158th Regular Course and the 141st Technical Graduate Course at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, today.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the President congratulated the officer cadets on successfully completing one of the nation’s most demanding military training programmes. She emphasized that courage, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to duty would remain the cornerstones of their military careers.
In a landmark moment for the Academy, nine women cadets participated in the Passing Out Parade. Describing the occasion as a watershed in the history of the IMA, the President said the induction of women cadets marks a significant milestone for India’s Armed Forces and reflects the nation’s steady progress towards women-led development. She expressed confidence that increasing numbers of women would join the Academy in the years ahead.
The President also extended her congratulations to the foreign officer cadets from friendly nations who completed their training at the Academy. She expressed confidence that they would serve their respective armed forces with distinction while carrying forward the values and professional ethos acquired at the IMA.
Highlighting the role of international military training cooperation, Smt Murmu noted that the presence of foreign cadets at the Academy underscores India’s commitment to strengthening friendship, defence cooperation, and peaceful relations with partner nations. She observed that the professional bonds and mutual understanding developed during training contribute significantly to enhancing military-to-military engagement across countries.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the President reminded them that they are entrusted with safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the nation. She stated that they carry the sacred trust of more than 140 crore citizens and urged them to uphold service before self as the highest military virtue.
Against the backdrop of evolving security challenges, rapid technological advancements, and an increasingly complex strategic environment, the President stressed the need for the Indian Army to remain adaptive, technologically proficient, and future-ready. She called upon the young officers to be lifelong learners, decisive leaders, and exemplars of integrity and professional excellence.
Emphasizing the responsibilities of military leadership, Smt Murmu said that officers are entrusted not only with operational command but also with the welfare and morale of their soldiers. She urged them to lead from the front, inspire confidence through personal example, foster teamwork, and maintain the highest traditions of the Indian Armed Forces. Balancing operational effectiveness with the well-being of troops, she noted, would be essential in building trust and enhancing the combat capability of the units under their command.
The Passing Out Parade marked the successful commissioning of a new generation of officers into the Indian Army, reinforcing the Academy’s enduring role in shaping military leaders dedicated to duty, honour, and service to the nation.
