President Draupadi Murmu, in her capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended the Passing Out Parade (PoP) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the chief guest and reviewing officer. She reviewed the 158th Regular and 141st Technical Graduate Course and extended her best wishes to the newly commissioned officers.

Context

Addressing the graduating cadets, President Murmu called on them to serve with kartavyanishtha, samarpan, anushasan aur rashtrbhakti (dedication, commitment, discipline, and patriotism) in defence of the nation. She stated that military officers are not merely guardians of the country's borders, but also 'protectors of the trust, honour, and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.'

The President emphasised that in a rapidly evolving global security landscape driven by technological advancement, the Indian Army must continuously embrace innovation, modernisation, and adaptability. She urged the young officers to lead from the front, uphold high ethical values, and strike a balance between soldier welfare and military effectiveness.

Historic Milestone for Women in the Army

The most significant highlight of this parade was the commissioning of 9 women cadets — described in the official communication as a historic landmark in the history of the Indian Military Academy. The occasion was framed as giving fresh energy to the concept of women-led development and a stronger India.

This milestone is rooted in a broader policy trajectory. The Supreme Court directed the grant of Permanent Commission to women officers in the Indian Army in 2020, expanding their career pathways beyond Short Service Commission. A subsequent 2021 Supreme Court ruling opened the National Defence Academy to women, with the first batch admitted in 2022. The commissioning of women cadets through IMA now marks a further deepening of gender inclusion at the highest levels of officer training.

International Participation and Defence Diplomacy

The parade saw 481 Indian cadets pass out alongside 34 foreign cadets from 16 friendly nations. President Murmu described this as a symbol of India's growing global friendships, mutual trust, and expanding dimensions of international defence cooperation.

India has consistently increased slots for cadets from partner countries at IMA and other academies, aligning with bilateral defence agreements and multilateral frameworks. The presence of cadets from 16 nations at a single parade underscores the academy's stature as a premier institution for officer training in the region.

Dignitaries and What Comes Next

The ceremony was attended by Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmeet Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, IMA Commandant Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh, and senior military and civil administration officials, alongside a large gathering of families and well-wishers.

President Murmu conveyed her confidence that the newly commissioned officers will play a vital role in safeguarding the nation's security, honour, and integrity. Subsequent Passing Out Parades at IMA and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) will be closely watched to track further increases in women cadet numbers, while parliamentary discussions on the defence budget are expected to address allocations for training modernisation and institutional upgrades.