Rajnath Singh to review Combined Graduation Parade at AFA Dundigal on June 13
Hyderabad, June 9
The Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, is set to host the prestigious Combined Graduation Parade of the 217 Course on June 13, 2026. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will preside over the ceremony as the Reviewing Officer to mark the successful culmination of the rigorous pre-commissioning training for Flight Cadets of the Indian Air Force.
The ceremony, characterised by immaculate military precision, will see the Defence Minister confer the 'President's Commission' upon the graduating trainees. A central element of the proceedings will be the formal presentation of 'Wings' and 'Brevets' to the graduating Flight Cadets of the IAF, as well as to officers and trainees representing the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
A landmark highlight of this year's graduation is the commissioning of the first batch of women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune. These cadets, who successfully passed out of the NDA on May 30, 2025, have since completed their branch-specific training at the AFA. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts toward greater gender inclusivity and the integration of women into critical frontline combat and support roles within the Indian Armed Forces.
The event is scheduled to commence with a synchronised performance by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the highly skilled Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT). The parade will be interspersed with a sophisticated fly-past led by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, featuring a diverse formation of four trainer aircraft types, including the Pilatus PC-7 MkII, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak. The spectacle will be further elevated by high-octane aerial displays from the Sukhoi-30 MKI, the Sarang helicopter display team, and the renowned Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT).
As part of the formal honours, the Defence Minister will present the 'President's Plaque' to the Flight Cadets who have secured the top positions in the overall order of merit across the Flying, Navigation, and Ground Duty branches.
This graduation ceremony serves as a testament to the world-class training standards maintained by the Indian Air Force. For those unable to attend in person, the Indian Air Force will broadcast the event live across its official social media handles. Additionally, DD National will provide extensive live coverage of the ceremony starting at 07:00 hours on June 13, 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and Sarang display are must-watch! I hope DD National does proper justice to the live telecast. Last time the camera angles were a bit disappointing.
My cousin was in the 215 Course at AFA Dundigal - the training there is world-class. These young officers have earned their wings through blood, sweat and tears. Jai Hind! ✈️
Great to see Rajnath Singh ji taking time to review the parade despite his busy schedule. However, I wish more focus was given to improving infrastructure in our defence academies. The Pilatus PC-7 issue still needs resolution.
Finally! Women from NDA joining combat roles is a game-changer. My sister is in the army and she says the mindset is slowly changing. Let's hope this continues across all three forces. 👩✈️
M Michael C (Visiting from US) Impressive lineup! I worked with some IAF officers during joint exercises and they are incredibly professional. The inclusion of Vietnamese trainee officers shows India's growing strategic ties. Respect! D David E (UK) The Akash Ganga team never fails to amaze! I saw them at an air show in Bangalore a few years ago. The coordination is just phenomenal. Wishing all the new officers a successful career ahead. We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.