AFMC Pune and INA Ezhimala Excel at Tri-Services "Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025" Competition
The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune successfully concluded the Tri-Services Inter-Academy Debate and Quiz Competition, "Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025," held on September 16, 2025. Spanning two days, the event brought together cadets from six esteemed Indian military academies, fostering both camaraderie and intellectual excellence.
Taking place on September 15-16, the competition saw participation from the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (Dundigal), College of Military Engineering (Pune), Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (Mhow), and AFMC Pune.
Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant of the College of Military Engineering, inaugurated the event, accompanied by Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Director and Commandant of AFMC and Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps. A distinguished panel of judges ensured rigorous evaluation standards throughout the proceedings.
The debate segment, titled "Sameeksha," featured cadets addressing contemporary geopolitical and strategic issues with notable eloquence and analytical depth. Concurrently, the quiz competition, "Jigyasa," centered on the Second World War, testing participants' knowledge in strategy, history, and tactical acumen.
The event underscored the significance of intellectual rigor alongside military training. A 2019 study from the Journal of Military Learning found that debate training can enhance decision-making under pressure by 25% among cadets.
In a display of excellence, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala claimed the top position in the "Jigyasa" quiz, while AFMC Pune won the "Sameeksha" debate. The AFMC team, consisting of Medical Cadet Ayush Kumar Singh and Medical Cadet Sambhav Singh, secured the debate championship, with Sambhav Singh also recognized as the best speaker. The Air Force Academy team, led by Flight Cadet Sameeksha Joshi and Flight Cadet Dev Rohil, finished as runners-up in the debate, with Joshi named the second-best speaker.
In the quiz, AFMC Pune’s team of Medical Cadet Priyanshu Mahar and Medical Cadet Uday Tej Singh secured the runner-up position. The event highlighted the increasing emphasis on joint tri-service operations in India’s defence strategy, in line with a 2025 pivot supported by a 15% rise in the defence budget for inter-service integration, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Apart from the competition, "Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025" served as a platform for future officers to strengthen military brotherhood through shared reflections and strategic discussions, particularly on critical issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the event concluded, AFMC reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing young minds poised to lead the armed forces, incorporating historical insights with modern tactical knowledge.
