CM Dhami attends NDA Passing Out Parade with President Murmu
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami joined President Draupadi Murmu and Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh at the National Defence Academy's Passing Out Parade on 13 June 2026, congratulating newly commissioned Indian Army officers and reaffirming Uttarakhand's proud military legacy.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the National Defence Academy Passing Out Parade on 13 June 2026 in Khadakwasla, Pune.
President Draupadi Murmu presided over the ceremony, with Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) also present.
The parade marks the formal commissioning of a new batch of cadets as officers into the Indian Armed Forces .
Uttarakhand maintains one of the highest per-capita contributions of personnel to the Indian Army, with historic regiments including the Garhwal Rifles and Kumaon Regiment .
The NDA has conducted biannual Passing Out Parades since 1949 , making this a long-standing national military tradition.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the Passing Out Parade at the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Saturday, 13 June 2026, alongside President of India Draupadi Murmu and Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd). The ceremony marked the formal commissioning of a new batch of officers into the Indian Armed Forces.
Context
Dhami shared the occasion on social media, writing — 'Rashtriya Military Academy mein Passing Out Parade mein sammilit hua' ['Attended the Passing Out Parade at the National Military Academy'] — and extended congratulations to the newly commissioned officers. He praised their 'dedication, discipline, and resolve to serve the nation,' expressing confidence that they would take India's security and honour to new heights.
President Murmu, who has presided over national military ceremonies since assuming office in July 2022, was the chief guest at the parade. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, a retired senior army officer himself, has served as Uttarakhand's Governor since 2021.
Policy Backdrop
The National Defence Academy, established in 1948 at Khadakwasla, Pune, is India's premier tri-service training institution and has conducted biannual Passing Out Parades since 1949. Each parade marks the culmination of a rigorous training cycle and the formal induction of cadets as commissioned officers into the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
Uttarakhand holds a historically significant place in India's military landscape. The state is home to storied regiments including the Garhwal Rifles and the Kumaon Regiment, and maintains one of the highest per-capita contributions of personnel to the Indian Army among all states. Chief ministers of Uttarakhand have regularly participated in national defence events to underscore this deep institutional bond.
Stakeholders and Impact
The newly commissioned officers — the immediate stakeholders — now formally join the Indian Army after completing their NDA training. For Uttarakhand, which sends a disproportionately large number of young men and women into uniform, such ceremonies carry strong cultural and political resonance.
CM Dhami's attendance alongside the President and the Governor signals the state government's continued emphasis on honouring the military tradition that defines much of Uttarakhand's identity. The presence of three constitutional and elected officeholders at a single parade also reflects the sustained institutional priority placed on officer training and civil-military coordination.
What's Next
The next NDA Passing Out Parade is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, continuing the academy's biannual commissioning cycle. As the central government deepens its focus on tri-service integration and officer-cadre expansion, state-level participation in such events is likely to remain a visible feature of India's civil-military engagement calendar.
Point of View
Where military service is a matter of family pride across hill districts. It also reinforces the BJP's broader narrative of patriotism and institutional respect for the armed forces. The optics of a state chief minister standing beside the President at a national commissioning ceremony elevate the event beyond routine protocol, lending it political weight in a state where regiments like the Garhwal Rifles and Kumaon Regiment command deep social reverence. Such appearances are increasingly part of a pattern where state leaders use defence milestones to consolidate identity-based political capital.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDA Passing Out Parade?
The NDA Passing Out Parade is a biannual ceremonial event at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, where graduating cadets are formally commissioned as officers into the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. It has been held since 1949.
Why did CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attend the NDA parade?
CM Dhami attended the 13 June 2026 Passing Out Parade to honour the newly commissioned officers and to reaffirm Uttarakhand's strong historical ties to the Indian Army, which draws heavily from the state's hill communities.
Who was the chief guest at the NDA Passing Out Parade on 13 June 2026?
President of India Draupadi Murmu presided over the Passing Out Parade on 13 June 2026, accompanied by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
What is Uttarakhand's connection to the Indian Army?
Uttarakhand has one of the highest per-capita contributions of military personnel among Indian states, and is home to historic regiments including the Garhwal Rifles and the Kumaon Regiment, making defence service a central part of the state's cultural identity.
Where is the National Defence Academy located?
The National Defence Academy is located at Khadakwasla in Pune, Maharashtra. It was established in 1948 and is India's premier tri-service military training institution.
