IAF Combined Graduation Parade at Dundigal: 244 Cadets Commissioned; CDS General Anil Chauhan is Reviewing Officer

The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 216 Course of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was held at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad on 13 December 2025. The parade marked the successful culmination of the pre-commissioning training of Flight Cadets of the Flying and Ground duty branches of the IAF. General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was the Reviewing Officer and conferred the President's Commission on the graduating Flight Cadets. A total of 244 Flight Cadets, comprising 215 male and 29 female cadets, were commissioned as Flying Officers on this day. In addition, six officers from the Indian Navy, eight officers from the Indian Coast Guard and two trainees from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam were awarded the 'Wings' on successful completion of their flying training, reflecting the international dimension of training at the Academy. Flying Officer Tanishq Aggarwal was awarded the 'President's Plaque' and the 'Nawanagar Sword of Honour' for standing first in the overall order of merit in the Pilot Course. Flying Officer Saksham Dobriyal received the 'President's Plaque' in the Navigation stream and Flying Officer Nitesh Kumar in the Ground Duty branches. The CDS was received by Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and Air Marshal PK Vohra, Commandant, AFA. The parade featured a synchronised flypast by Pilatus PC-7, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak aircraft, complemented by the Akash Ganga aerobatic display and the Air Warrior Drill Team performance. The event underlines the IAF's focus on professional development, joint training with sister services, and international cooperation.