HYDERABAD: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, and awarded the President’s Commission to 231 Flight Cadets, including 194 men and 37 women, marking their induction as officers into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
In a significant milestone, the graduating batch included the first group of women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA) to be commissioned into the IAF. Highlighting the increasing participation of women in the armed forces, Rajnath Singh said, “Growing Nari Shakti will further strengthen the IAF and make it more robust and balanced.” He described the development as a reflection of the strength and inclusiveness of India’s defence forces.
The commissioning ceremony marked the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for cadets joining the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the IAF. Alongside the Indian cadets, nine officers from the Indian Navy, three officers from the Indian Coast Guard and two officers from Vietnam were awarded their Wings. Three officers also received Brevets after completing navigation training.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the Defence Minister said they were entering a force that has consistently protected the nation and demonstrated exceptional courage during critical moments in history.
“The Indian Air Force changed the course of the 1947-48 Kashmir conflict through the Srinagar airlift and created history during the 1971 war with decisive air operations,” he said. Referring to recent operations, he added, “The indomitable spirit and unmatched valour of the IAF were once again demonstrated during Operation Sindoor in 2025 when terror hideouts were destroyed with precision and clarity.”
Rajnath Singh credited not only indigenous military platforms but also the professionalism, discipline and courage of IAF personnel for the success of modern military operations. He expressed confidence that the Air Force would continue to play a decisive role in safeguarding national security in the future.
The Defence Minister also spoke about the changing nature of warfare, warning officers that future conflicts would increasingly involve advanced technologies rather than conventional battlefield engagements.
“Modern warfare has transformed dramatically. The adversary and the weapon may not always be visible. Radars, satellites, drones, sensors and robotics have changed the battlefield landscape,” he said. He cautioned that even civilian infrastructure such as traffic management systems and surveillance networks could become targets of hostile cyber operations.
Urging the officers to stay prepared, he said their training had equipped them to deal with uncertainty and rapidly evolving threats. “You must remain vigilant, adapt quickly and recalibrate your responses according to emerging challenges,” he stated.
Rajnath Singh further encouraged the young officers to embrace innovation and technological advancement. According to him, modern conflicts have shown that even smaller nations can inflict significant damage on larger military powers by using compact but highly effective weapons and innovative tactics.
“Every conflict offers lessons. Combine hard work with smart work and brilliance. Nations that lead in technology today are shaping the future battlefield,” he said.
Emphasising professionalism and lifelong learning, the Defence Minister reminded the officers that the wings on their shoulders represented the trust and expectations of the people of India.
“The responsibility you are taking on is immense. At times, you will have to make critical decisions within seconds. Maintain the highest standards of conduct and professionalism so that others are inspired by your example,” he said.
The parade featured a General Salute, a ceremonial march past and a synchronised flypast led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh. The aerial display included Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak trainer aircraft.
The event also showcased performances by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the all-women “Shakti” Air Warrior Drill Team. Aerobatic displays by the Su-30MKI, the Sarang helicopter team and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team provided a spectacular finale.
Among the award winners, Flying Officer Ashish Kumar Yadav received the prestigious President’s Plaque and the Nawanagar Sword of Honour for securing first position in the Pilot Course. Flying Officer Ekta Gupta earned the President’s Plaque for topping the Navigation stream, while Flying Officer Divyanshi Singh received the President’s Plaque for standing first among the Ground Duty branches.
The ceremony concluded with the newly commissioned officers marching out to martial tunes as they began their careers in the service of the nation. Before their proud families and mentors, the officers took an oath to uphold India’s sovereignty, honour and security, marking the beginning of a distinguished journey in uniform.
