IPS probationer Vijay Raghav Goyal wins Mehta Cup, best in musketry at SVPNPA parade

Hyderabad, October 12, 2026: The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad held the Director’s Parade for its 78th Regular Recruits (78RR) batch of IPS officer trainees, a ceremonial step that comes just before the Passing Out Parade, or Dikshant Parade. The parade brought together 151 officer trainees, including 16 foreign officers, as the batch moved closer to completing its basic training phase.

The parade was commanded by Shri Gourav Uppal, an IPS probationer of the Punjab cadre from the 78RR batch. SVPNPA Director Shri Sujeet Pandey, IPS (1994 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre), inspected the parade and addressed the probationers during the event. Pandey, who took charge of the Academy in July 2026, was overseeing one of the key formal occasions in the training calendar.

As is customary at the Academy, the Director’s Parade also served as an occasion to recognise performance across different training areas. IPS probationer Vijay Raghav Goyal, allotted to the Bihar cadre, received the Mehta Cup as well as the Medal for Best Probationer in Musketry. The two awards reflect his overall performance and his proficiency in firearms training, including accuracy, handling and safe weapon use.

Ms. Kuhoo Garg, an IPS probationer of the Gujarat cadre, was awarded the Medal for Best Probationer in Drill. The recognition is given for discipline, precision, coordination and responsiveness to commands, all of which are central to outdoor training at the Academy.

Other awards announced on the occasion included the Medal for Best Lady Probationer in Physical Training for Ms. Kanika Yadav, IPS probationer of the AGMUT cadre, and the Medal for Best Gentleman Probationer in Physical Training for Shri Pema Wangdi, an officer trainee of the Royal Bhutan Police. These honours highlighted the physical demands of police training, where endurance, agility and overall fitness are essential components of preparation for service.

The Academy also recognised the contribution of its own staff. A total of 31 officials received the Director’s Commendation Roll and Insignia for their work in training and other institutional responsibilities.

The 78RR batch is the 2024 batch of IPS officers currently undergoing training at SVPNPA, the premier institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the basic professional training of IPS probationers. The Academy’s training programme combines academic instruction with outdoor components such as drill, physical training, equitation and musketry, along with leadership development and practical policing skills. After this phase, officers move on to district practical training in their allotted cadres.

The Director’s Parade is held as a formal rehearsal ahead of the Dikshant Parade, which marks the completion of the Academy phase. The previous batch, 77RR, held its Passing Out Parade in October 2025 with a larger contingent. The presence of foreign officers in the 78RR batch also reflects SVPNPA’s continuing role in international police training cooperation.

At the parade, the recognitions given to Goyal, Garg and other trainees pointed to the Academy’s emphasis on discipline, professional competence and physical preparedness as the officers approach the transition from academy training to field responsibilities.