IAF Garud commandos earn Maroon Beret at Chandinagar passing-out parade
Synopsis
Days after Operation Sindoor redefined IAF's special operations mandate, a fresh batch of Garud commandos earned their Maroon Berets at Chandinagar — a graduation that carries far more operational weight than a routine passing-out parade. The newly inducted operators are set to strengthen the IAF's expanded special mission capability at a critical moment.
Key Takeaways
The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade was held on 23 May at Air Force Station Chandinagar , graduating a new batch of Garud Special Forces operatives.
AVM Rahul Gupta , ACAS Operations (Space), reviewed the parade as Chief Guest and presented the Maroon Beret , Garud Proficiency Badge , and Special Forces Tabs to successful trainees.
Commandos demonstrated skills including combat firing , hostage rescue , rappelling , assault explosives , and military martial arts .
The graduation is directly linked to Operation Sindoor , after which the IAF identified new special missions for the Garud force.
AVM Rahul Bhasin has separately highlighted the need to integrate AI into LEO constellations to advance IAF's space-based intelligence capabilities.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) held the Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade on Saturday, 23 May at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar, marking the successful graduation of a fresh batch of Garud Special Forces operatives. The event formally inducted the newly trained commandos into the IAF's elite special operations unit.
Chief Guest and Ceremony Highlights
Air Vice Marshal Rahul Gupta, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Operations (Space), reviewed the parade as Chief Guest. The Commandant of GRTC received him and provided a comprehensive briefing on the training programme's key aspects.
AVM Gupta congratulated the graduating Garuds and underscored the importance of rigorous training and continuous skill development in keeping pace with a rapidly evolving security environment. He personally presented the Maroon Beret, Garud Proficiency Badge, and Special Forces Tabs to the successful trainees, and distributed trophies to outstanding awardees.
Skills Demonstrated During the Parade
The passing-out ceremony featured live demonstrations of the operatives' combat capabilities, including combat firing, hostage rescue, firing drills, assault explosives, obstacle crossing, wall climbing, slithering, rappelling, and military martial arts. The displays underscored the breadth and intensity of the Garud training curriculum.
Significance After Operation Sindoor
The graduation carries added strategic weight in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, in which IAF Special Forces played a defined operational role. According to an official statement, the newly commissioned Special Force Operators will directly strengthen the IAF's capacity to execute the expanded set of special missions identified during and after that operation. This is a clear signal that the Garud force's mandate is being broadened in line with current threat assessments.
Broader Context: Space and AI Integration
Separately, AVM Rahul Bhasin, ACAS (Ops) Space, has previously emphasised that space is a vital domain for military intelligence. He has called for integrating artificial intelligence to build smart, cost-effective low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and urged a coordinated effort from India's space ecosystem — reflecting the IAF's push to modernise across both terrestrial and space-based special operations domains.
The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade represents the culmination of an exceptionally demanding training schedule, transforming recruits into what the IAF describes as 'Young Special Forces Operators' ready for frontline deployment.
Point of View
Which brought IAF Special Forces into sharper public and strategic focus. What the official statement quietly signals is that the Garud force's mission scope is being actively expanded, not merely maintained. India's special operations architecture has historically been Army-centric; the IAF's deliberate investment in Garud, combined with the push to integrate AI and LEO space assets, suggests a broader tri-service recalibration is underway. Whether the institutional support — funding, inter-agency coordination, doctrine — keeps pace with the ambition is the question that will define Garud's next chapter.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade of the IAF Garud force?
It is the formal passing-out ceremony for newly trained Indian Air Force Special Forces operatives of the Garud unit, held at the Garud Regimental Training Centre, Air Force Station Chandinagar. Graduates receive the Maroon Beret, Garud Proficiency Badge, and Special Forces Tabs, marking their induction into the IAF's elite special operations force.
Who are the Garud commandos?
The Garud are the Indian Air Force's dedicated Special Forces unit, trained for high-risk missions including airbase protection, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and special operations in support of broader IAF objectives. They are among India's elite tri-service special forces.
What role did Garud commandos play in Operation Sindoor?
According to an official statement, IAF Special Forces were involved in Operation Sindoor, after which new special missions were identified for the Garud force. The newly graduated operators are expected to strengthen the IAF's capacity to carry out these expanded missions.
Who reviewed the Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade on 23 May?
Air Vice Marshal Rahul Gupta, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Operations (Space), reviewed the parade as Chief Guest. He presented awards to the graduates and addressed the young commandos on the importance of rigorous training in the current security environment.
What skills do Garud commandos demonstrate at the passing-out parade?
During the ceremony, Garud trainees demonstrated combat firing, hostage rescue, firing drills, assault explosives, obstacle crossing, wall climbing, slithering, rappelling, and military martial arts — reflecting the full spectrum of their intensive training programme.
