President Droupadi Murmu felicitates an Indian Military Academy cadet at the Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course and 141st Technical Graduate Course at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), in Dehradun.
| Photo Credit: ANI
President of India Droupadi Murmu on Saturday (June 13, 2026) reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course and the 141st Technical Graduate Course at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, and described the induction of women cadets into the academy as a watershed moment in its history.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the President congratulated the officer cadets for successfully completing one of the country’s most rigorous military training programmes. She said that courage and wisdom would be their greatest strengths as they embark on their careers in the Indian Army.
Expressing delight at the presence of nine women cadets in the graduating batch, President Murmu said their participation marked a significant milestone not only for the IMA but also for India’s journey towards women-led development. She voiced confidence that many more women would join the academy in the coming years.
The President also congratulated cadets from friendly foreign countries and expressed confidence that they would bring laurels to their respective armed forces and nations through their service and the values imbibed at the academy.
Highlighting the importance of international military training, she said the presence of foreign cadets at IMA reflected India’s commitment to fostering friendship, cooperation and peaceful relations with countries around the world. The professional bonds and mutual understanding developed during training, she noted, contribute significantly to strengthening defence cooperation among nations.
President Murmu reminded the officer cadets that they are the guardians of India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity and carry the trust of more than 140 crore citizens. She emphasised that service to the nation is the highest duty and urged them to remain committed to the values of the Armed Forces.
Referring to evolving security challenges and rapid technological advancements, the President said the Indian Army must remain adaptive and future-ready. She advised the young officers to be lifelong learners, courageous decision-makers and ethical leaders.
She also underlined the responsibility of officers towards their troops, stating that they must lead by example, inspire confidence and foster teamwork. By balancing operational effectiveness with the welfare of soldiers, officers can build trust and enhance the combat capability of their units, she said.
The President urged the newly commissioned officers to uphold the finest traditions of the Armed Forces, lead from the front and always care for the soldiers under their command.
Published – June 13, 2026 12:51 pm IST
