Indian Naval Academy Celebrates Passing Out Parade for 232 Trainees on 29 November 2025
A grand Passing Out Parade (POP) took place at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala on Saturday, 29 November 2025, marking the end of intensive initial training for the upcoming set of naval leaders. A total of 232 trainees successfully completed their training, including Midshipmen from the 109th Indian Naval Academy Course, and cadets from the 39th and 40th Naval Orientation Course (Extended), the 41st Naval Orientation Course (Regular and Coast Guard), and the 42nd Naval Orientation Course (Friendly Foreign Countries). The parade featured 18 cadets from seven allied nations—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Maldives, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Seychelles—highlighting the Academy's growing international influence and its status as a major center for global naval training.
General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), reviewed the parade and extended his congratulations to the Midshipmen and cadets for their accomplishments. He was joined by Mrs. Anupama Chauhan, President of the Defence Wives Welfare Association. The ceremony also saw attendance from Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command; Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, Commandant INA; senior military officers; faculty members; and many proud families.
Among the distinguished trainees, Midshipman Vishesh Kumar received the President’s Gold Medal for his top performance in the INA B.Tech Course. The Chief of the Naval Staff Silver Medal was awarded to Midshipman Shaurya Aditya Prajapati, while the Achiever Squadron received the Commandant’s Champion Squadron Banner for excellence across various domains including academics, service subjects, outdoor training, drill, sports, and extracurricular activities. Midshipman Sidhant Jakhar was honored with the FOC-in-C (South) Trophy for securing the highest order of merit among ex-NDA trainees.
In the Naval Orientation Courses, Cadet Hrishikesh V Chaitanya was awarded the CNS Gold Medal for the best performance in the NOC (Extended), while Cadet Satwik Dikshit received the Commandant INA Silver Medal in the NOC (Regular). The Director General Coast Guard Trophy was presented to Cadet Ishan Shekhar for his outstanding achievements.
During his address to the parade, the CDS praised the trainees for their excellent turnout, precise drill execution, and high discipline standards. He also lauded the instructors and training staff for their dedication and professionalism, as well as the families for their unwavering support throughout the cadets' training period. He highlighted the importance of the foreign trainees, emphasizing that their participation enhances international military cooperation and further cements the Indian Navy's training prestige globally.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional shipping of stripes, performed by the CDS, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, the Commandant INA, and distinguished guests. Dignitaries also interacted with the assembled families who had come in large numbers to witness the proud occasion.
The newly commissioned officers are set to join various naval training establishments and frontline warships of the Indian Navy, where they will continue to develop their professional skills and uphold the Navy's traditions of honor, courage, and commitment.
