Rajnath Singh reviews Air Force Academy CGP in Hyderabad, commissions first NDA women batch
Synopsis
The Combined Graduation Parade at Hyderabad's Air Force Academy was more than a ceremonial milestone — it marked the IAF commissioning its first-ever batch of women cadets who entered through the National Defence Academy, Pune, closing a historic gap in India's military integration of women officers.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh served as Reviewing Officer at the CGP of 217 Course at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad on 13 June 2025 .
Singh conferred the President's Commission and presented Wings and Brevets to graduating Flight Cadets of the IAF , Indian Navy , Indian Coast Guard , and Vietnam .
The ceremony commissioned the first batch of women cadets from NDA, Pune , who had passed out on 30 May 2025 .
Flypasts featured the Pilatus PC-7 MkII , Hawk , Kiran , and Chetak , with aerial displays by the SU-30 MKI , Sarang , and Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) .
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P.
Singh led the flypast formations.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday, 13 June reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of 217 Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, Hyderabad, marking the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for Flight Cadets across multiple branches of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Serving as the Reviewing Officer, Singh conferred the President's Commission on graduating trainees, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
Historic First: NDA Women Cadets Commissioned
The ceremony carried particular historical significance as it marked the commissioning of the first batch of women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, who had passed out on 30 May 2025 and subsequently joined AFA for branch-specific training. Their commissioning at this CGP represents a landmark moment in the IAF's integration of women officers through the NDA pipeline.
Awards and Honours Presented
Singh presented Wings and Brevets to Flight Cadets of the IAF upon successful completion of their training. The ceremony also extended to officers and trainees of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The President's Plaque was awarded to Flight Cadets who stood first in the overall order of merit across the Flying, Navigation stream, and Ground Duty branches.
Aerial Displays and Military Drills
The parade opened with demonstrations by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT). Flypasts were led by IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, featuring four types of trainer aircraft: the Pilatus PC-7 MkII, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak. The aerial programme also included displays by the SU-30 MKI, the Sarang helicopter display team, and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT).
What the Ceremony Represents
The CGP is one of the IAF's most prestigious ceremonial events, translating years of rigorous pre-commissioning training into formal military service. The inclusion of international trainees from Vietnam underscores India's growing defence diplomacy footprint. Notably, this edition stands out for cementing a policy shift — the integration of NDA-trained women officers into the IAF's branch structure — that had been years in the making.
Point of View
And this batch represents the full arc of that policy: selection, training, and now formal commissioning. The IAF's willingness to integrate them across Flying, Navigation, and Ground Duty branches is a structural shift, not a symbolic one. Whether the pipeline scales — and whether women officers receive equal operational postings — will determine whether this landmark becomes a trend or a footnote.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad?
The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) is the IAF's formal pre-commissioning ceremony at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, where Flight Cadets receive their Wings, Brevets, and the President's Commission upon completing training. It also includes trainees from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and select foreign nations.
Why is the CGP of 217 Course historically significant?
This parade marked the commissioning of the first batch of women cadets who entered the Indian Air Force through the National Defence Academy, Pune. They passed out from NDA on 30 May 2025 and completed branch-specific training at AFA before being formally commissioned.
What awards did Rajnath Singh present at the ceremony?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the President's Commission to graduating trainees, Wings and Brevets to Flight Cadets, and the President's Plaque to cadets who stood first in the overall order of merit in Flying, Navigation, and Ground Duty branches.
Which aircraft featured in the flypast and aerial displays?
The flypast included the Pilatus PC-7 MkII, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak trainer aircraft. Aerial displays were performed by the SU-30 MKI, the Sarang helicopter display team, and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), with IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh leading the formations.
Were any international trainees part of the CGP 217 Course?
Yes, officers and trainees from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam participated in the ceremony and received their Wings and Brevets alongside IAF Flight Cadets.
