NDA's 150th Passing Out Parade on May 30: 355 cadets to be commissioned
Synopsis
The National Defence Academy reaches a generational milestone on 30 May 2026 with its 150th Passing Out Parade — commissioning 355 cadets into the Indian Armed Forces at Khadakwasla, Pune. A full dress rehearsal on 28 May, featuring Su-30 MKI jets and the Sarang aerobatics team, confirmed the scale of a ceremony that Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will review.
Key Takeaways
The NDA's 150th Passing Out Parade is scheduled for 30 May 2026 at Khetarpal Parade Ground, Khadakwasla, Pune .
355 cadets will be commissioned into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force at the ceremony.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi will review the parade as Reviewing Officer.
A full dress rehearsal was held on 28 May , reviewed by Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, AVSM, NM , NDA Commandant.
The aerial display will feature Su-30 MKI jets, Chetak Helicopters , the Sarang aerobatics team, and the Akashganga skydiving team.
A convocation ceremony for the outgoing course will be held on 29 May at Habibullah Hall .
The National Defence Academy (NDA) will hold its landmark 150th Passing Out Parade (POP) on 30 May 2026 at the Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla, Pune, marking the commissioning of 355 cadets into the Indian Armed Forces. The milestone ceremony will be reviewed by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, who will attend as the Reviewing Officer.
Full Dress Rehearsal Sets the Stage
Ahead of Saturday's historic parade, a full dress rehearsal was conducted on 28 May at the same Khetarpal Parade Ground. The rehearsal was reviewed by NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, AVSM, NM, and drew widespread attention for its spectacular aerial display.
The skies above Khadakwasla came alive with a fly-past featuring Su-30 MKI fighter jets, the Sarang Helicopter Aerobatics Team, and the Akashganga Skydiving Team — a preview of the full aerial showcase planned for the main ceremony.
Aerial Display: What to Expect on May 30
The fly-past at the 150th POP will be among the most elaborate in recent memory, featuring four distinct elements of the Indian Armed Forces' aerial strength.
Su-30 MKI fighter jets will open the display with their signature thunderous speed and precision. Chetak Helicopters will demonstrate trusted rotary-wing formation flying. The Sarang Helicopter Aerobatics Team, flying their Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), will perform tight, high-precision formations. The Akashganga Skydiving Team will close with precision landings designed to leave spectators spellbound.
Convocation Ceremony on May 29
A day before the parade, on 29 May, a convocation ceremony for the outgoing course will be held at Habibullah Hall within the NDA campus. The event is part of the broader Spring Term 2026 passing-out schedule and will formally recognise the academic achievements of the graduating batch.
Significance of the 150th Parade
The NDA, a tri-services academy and one of India's most prestigious military institutions, has been commissioning officers into the Army, Navy, and Air Force for decades. The 150th edition of the Passing Out Parade is a generational milestone, underscoring the academy's enduring role in shaping India's defence leadership. Notably, the Khadakwasla campus has been the setting for some of India's most celebrated military commissioning ceremonies. All eyes will now be on Saturday's final parade as 355 young officers step into uniform.
Point of View
Yet questions about curriculum relevance in an era of drone warfare and cyber operations persist. The elaborate aerial display, while visually compelling, also signals the institutional priority placed on showcasing hardware over quietly reforming doctrine. The real measure of this milestone will be how many of these 355 commissioned officers are equipped to lead in the warfare environments of 2035, not 1975.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NDA 150th Passing Out Parade?
The NDA's 150th Passing Out Parade is scheduled for 30 May 2026 at the Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla, Pune. It will commission 355 cadets into the Indian Armed Forces.
Who will review the NDA 150th Passing Out Parade?
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi will attend as the Reviewing Officer for the 150th Passing Out Parade on 30 May 2026.
How many cadets are being commissioned at the NDA POP 2026?
A total of 355 cadets will be commissioned into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force at the Spring Term 2026 Passing Out Parade.
What aircraft will feature in the NDA POP fly-past?
The fly-past will include Su-30 MKI fighter jets, Chetak Helicopters, the Sarang Helicopter Aerobatics Team flying Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), and the Akashganga Skydiving Team performing precision landings.
What is the convocation ceremony before the NDA parade?
A convocation ceremony for the outgoing course will be held on 29 May 2026 at Habibullah Hall on the NDA campus, a day before the main Passing Out Parade.
