Taxi Driver's Son Emerges as Best NDA Cadet, Claims President's Gold Medal at 149th Passing Out Parade
Cadet Adjutant Deepak Kandpal, originating from Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, and the son of a taxi driver, has achieved a remarkable milestone by being named the best cadet of the 2025 batch at the National Defence Academy (NDA). He was honored with the President’s Gold Medal during the 149th Passing Out Parade (POP) at the NDA in Khadakwasla.
This prestigious award, which acknowledges excellence in academics, physical fitness, discipline, and leadership, was bestowed upon Deepak by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who attended the event as the Chief Guest.
Deepak's journey from Garud, a small town in Bageshwar district, to the NDA is a testament to his perseverance and determination. Coming from a modest background, with his family residing in a rented home and limited financial means, he faced significant challenges in pursuing his dream of joining the armed forces. His father worked as a taxi driver to support his education.
Despite these obstacles, Deepak remained dedicated. He attended St Adams Public School until Class 8 and later switched to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Gagrigole, where he excelled academically and topped his district in Class 12.
While pursuing a degree at Delhi University, Deepak simultaneously prepared for the NDA entrance exam, a demanding test requiring academic prowess, physical endurance, and determination. His hard work paid off when he joined the academy in 2022.
During his three-year tenure at the NDA, Deepak distinguished himself in various areas of military training:
| Academics |
| Physical conditioning and endurance tasks |
| Leadership development exercises |
His comprehensive excellence earned him the course's highest honor, placing him above his peers.
The 149th POP of 2025 saw 328 cadets successfully completing their training:
| 216 cadets received bachelor’s degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | |||
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| 18 foreign cadets from friendly nations graduated | |||
| 112 Navy and Air Force cadets completed three years of their BTech programme | |||
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In his address to the cadets, Admiral Tripathi emphasized the increasing involvement of women in the armed forces, noting that this was the second batch of women cadets graduating from the NDA.
"Awards don't define your abilities; your duties define you," he advised the cadets.
Deepak Kandpal's outstanding success sends a strong message to the numerous NDA aspirants in India: Your background does not dictate your future—your commitment does.
His story exemplifies that with steadfast determination, relentless effort, and the courage to aim high, even the most daunting challenges can be surmounted.
1 comment
Congratulstions to Deepak Kandpal for achiving glorious Award & wishes you all the best for your future endeavour .