Triumph: 515 cadets, including nine women, commissioned at IMA
Deep familial pride and emotion marked the Indian Military Academy’s (IMA) Spring Term 2026 Passing Out Parade on Saturday as 515 officer cadets, including nine women, were commissioned into the Indian Army.
The traditional pipping ceremony transformed the academy grounds into a scene of celebration, with families gathering on the lawns to pin the new ranks on the shoulders of their sons and daughters.
For several families, the parade marked the culmination of generations of military service and sacrifice.
The batch also marked a significant milestone with the commissioning of nine women officer cadets, an important moment for the institution that has trained generations of Army officers since 1932.
Among them was Shanan Dhaka, who has been posted to eastern Ladakh.
“Coming from a military family, joining the Army was not just a career choice but a way of life,” Dhaka said, noting that both her father and grandfather served in the Army.
“I would tell everyone to dream big and keep working hard. One day, all your hardwork will pay off and you will achieve what you are aiming for,” she said.
Her father urged parents to encourage their daughters to join the armed forces.
“As a father, I would encourage every girl to join the armed forces. It is a respected profession through which you can serve the country and fulfill your aspirations,” he said.
The parade also celebrated exceptional merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant Vishal Kumar won the prestigious Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal for standing first in the Regular Course.
Kumar, who credited his success to a childhood dream of joining the military, had a simple message for the youth: “Morals and leadership by example”.
Academy Under Officer Prince Raj received the Silver Medal for standing second in the Regular Course, while Senior Under Officer Tejas Bhatt won the Bronze Medal.
In the specialised entries, Officer Cadet Hrishabh Mishra received the Silver Medal for the Technical Graduate Course, Officer Cadet Bodh Raj Thapa topped the SCO Course, and Officer Cadet Karan Pandey stood first in the TES Course. Junior Under Officer Zaif Sadid Alvy was awarded the Best Foreign Officer Cadet trophy after standing first among 34 foreign cadets representing 16 friendly nations.
Among those celebrating was Lieutenant Saurabh Chaudhary, commissioned into the Corps of Engineers. “Its is a moment of immense pride and happiness for my family and me. There were many ups and downs in this journey, which makes this achievement even more special,” said Chaudhary, who hails from Bihar.
