Army Chief Gen Dwivedi to review NDA 150th Course Passing Out Parade on May 30 in Pune
Synopsis
The National Defence Academy's 150th Course Passing Out Parade on 30 May 2026 will be reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at Khetarpal Parade Ground, Pune — with around 355 cadets graduating across all three services. A day earlier, former Lt Governor Kiran Bedi will address the convocation, capping a landmark milestone for India's premier tri-services institution.
Key Takeaways
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will review the NDA 150th Course Passing Out Parade on 30 May 2026 at Khetarpal Parade Ground, Khadakwasla, Pune .
Approximately 355 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force will graduate, completing the Spring Term 2026 training cycle.
The Convocation Ceremony will be held on 29 May 2026 at Habibullah Hall , NDA, with former Lt Governor Kiran Bedi as Chief Guest.
The parade will feature fly-pasts, medal presentations and the traditional 'Antim Pag' ceremony.
The NDA is currently under the command of Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi .
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will review the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 150th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on 30 May 2026 at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla, Pune. The ceremony marks the culmination of the Spring Term 2026 training cycle, with approximately 355 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force set to graduate.
Key Developments
General Dwivedi will serve as the Reviewing Officer, presiding over the grand ceremonial parade that formally transitions cadets into the next phase of service-specific military training. The parade will feature marching contingents, inspection by the Reviewing Officer, presentation of medals and awards, and fly-pasts by aircraft and helicopters.
A defining moment of the event will be the 'Antim Pag' — a deeply symbolic tradition marking the final step cadets take as students of the NDA before they move on to their respective service academies.
Convocation on May 29
A day before the parade, on 29 May 2026, the Convocation Ceremony of the 150th Course will be held at Habibullah Hall within the NDA campus. Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi will attend as Chief Guest and address the graduating cadets, formally acknowledging their academic achievements.
About the NDA
The National Defence Academy, currently under the command of Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, is India's premier tri-services training institution and is widely regarded as one of the foremost military academies in the world. The academy blends a rigorous academic curriculum with intensive physical training and character development, preparing cadets for leadership roles across all three defence services.
Significance of the Parade
The Passing Out Parade is considered a milestone not only for the graduating cadets but also for their families, instructors and the broader defence community. It symbolises the formal transformation of young trainees into commissioned officers committed to national service. This is the 150th such course to pass out from the NDA, underscoring the institution's enduring legacy in shaping India's military leadership.
Point of View
Even as India's security environment has grown markedly more complex. Having the Army Chief personally review the parade signals the tri-services significance the government continues to attach to the academy. Yet the deeper question is whether the NDA's curriculum is evolving fast enough to prepare cadets for hybrid warfare, cyber threats and multi-domain operations — areas where traditional parade-ground excellence tells only part of the story. The presence of Kiran Bedi at the convocation adds a civilian-leadership dimension that is symbolically apt, though the real measure of the institution remains the quality of officers it commissions into an increasingly contested strategic environment.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will review the NDA 150th Course Passing Out Parade?
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will review the Passing Out Parade of the 150th Course of the National Defence Academy on 30 May 2026 at Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla, Pune.
How many cadets will graduate at the NDA Passing Out Parade 2026?
Approximately 355 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force are set to graduate, marking the completion of the Spring Term 2026 training cycle at the NDA.
What is the 'Antim Pag' ceremony at the NDA?
The 'Antim Pag' is a traditional ceremonial moment during the Passing Out Parade in which graduating cadets take their symbolic final step as NDA students before transitioning to their respective service academies. It is regarded as one of the most emotionally significant moments of the parade.
Who is the Chief Guest at the NDA Convocation Ceremony on 29 May 2026?
Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi will attend as Chief Guest at the Convocation Ceremony of the 150th Course, held on 29 May 2026 at Habibullah Hall, NDA.
Who currently commands the National Defence Academy?
The National Defence Academy is currently under the command of Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi . The NDA is India's premier tri-services training institution, widely recognised as one of the leading military academies globally.
