Passing-out parade held at Indian Naval Academy

The Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, witnessed a grand passing-out parade on Saturday (November 29, 2025), marking the completion of ab-initio training for 232 trainees of various Naval Orientation and BTech courses.

The cohort included 18 cadets from seven friendly foreign nations, underscoring the academy’s expanding international presence.

The parade was reviewed by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who congratulated the midshipmen and cadets for their achievement. He was accompanied by Anupama Chauhan, president of the Defence Wives Welfare Association. Senior naval officers, including Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, and Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, Commandant, INA, attended the ceremony.

Midshipman Vishesh Kumar received the President’s Gold Medal for securing the first rank in the BTech course, while the Chief of the Naval Staff Silver Medal went to Midshipman Shaurya Aditya Prajapati. The Achiever Squadron was awarded the Commandant’s Champion Squadron Banner for overall excellence. Other honours included the FOC-in-C (South) Trophy to Midshipman Sidhant Jakhar, the CNS Gold Medal to Cadet Hrishikesh V. Chaitanya, the Commandant INA Silver Medal to Cadet Satwik Dikshit, and the Director General Coast Guard Trophy to Cadet Ishan Shekhar.

General Chauhan praised the trainees’ turnout and drill, lauding instructors, training staff, and parents for their support. He highlighted the importance of training foreign cadets, noting its role in strengthening international defence cooperation and showcasing India’s naval training standards.

The ceremony concluded with the dignitaries shipping stripes on the newly commissioned officers, followed by interactions with their families. The officers will now join various naval establishments and frontline ships to continue their professional training.