Defence Minister Rajnath Singh To Review Air Force Academy CGP On June 13

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will review the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad on June 13, an event that will not only mark the completion of pre-commissioning training for flight cadets but also a significant milestone in the evolution of India's armed forces.

According to a defence release, Singh, the Reviewing Officer for the parade, will confer the President's Commission on graduating trainees. The commission formally authorises officers to serve in the armed forces in the name of the President of India, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. It represents the culmination of years of rigorous military and academic training and marks the transition of cadets into commissioned officers.

The ceremony will also include the presentation of 'Wings' and 'Brevets' , prestigious military qualifications awarded upon successful completion of specialised flying and operational training. These honours symbolise professional competence and readiness for active service.

A major highlight of this year's CGP will be the commissioning of the first batch of women cadets trained through the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune , into the Indian Air Force. The women officers, who graduated from the NDA on May 30, 2025, subsequently underwent branch-specific training at the Air Force Academy before earning their commissions.

Their induction is being viewed as a landmark moment in India's military history. Following the opening of the NDA to women in 2022, the commissioning of this pioneering batch reflects the armed forces' ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for women and promote greater gender inclusion across combat-support and leadership roles.

The Air Force Academy, established in 1969, serves as the premier training institution for officers of the Indian Air Force. Located in Dundigal, it is responsible for transforming cadets into military leaders through intensive instruction in flying, navigation, ground duties, military strategy and leadership. Over the decades, the academy has played a central role in shaping generations of IAF officers and adapting training programmes to meet the demands of modern warfare and advanced aerospace technologies.

The Defence Minister will also award the President's Plaque to the cadets securing first position in the overall order of merit in the Flying, Navigation and Ground Duty branches.

The ceremony will begin with displays by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT) , followed by fly-pasts led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The aerial showcase will feature Pilatus PC-7 MkII , Hawk , Kiran and Chetak trainer aircraft, alongside displays by the Su-30MKI , the Sarang Helicopter Display Team and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) .

The event is expected to underscore both the Indian Air Force's commitment to operational excellence and the broader modernisation and inclusivity initiatives being pursued across India's armed forces.