Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Reviewing Officer, reviewed the passing-out parade of 129th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on November 28, 2015. A total of 338 cadets graduated from the Academy as they passed through the portals of the prestigious Khetrapal Parade Ground. It included 229 cadets from the Army, 40 cadets from the Navy and 69 cadets from the Air Force. There were 16 foreign cadets from friendly countries who also passed out from the academy. The list included four cadets each from Bhutan and Tajikistan, two cadets each from Maldives, Afghanistan and Fiji, and one cadet each from Ethiopia and Lesotho. The Reviewing Officer was received by Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar, Commandant, NDA, at the Parade Ground.

Admiral R.K. Dhowan thereafter addressed the passing-out course cadets wherein he complemented the cadets for their good turnout and exceptional drill movements. He said that more than 33,000 cadets have passed out of this academy and they have served the armed forces of the nation with great pride. He said that NDA is not only a cradle of leadership but also a cradle of jointmanship. He emphasised that no service can win a war on its own. He advised the cadets to follow the five principles of leadership, i.e. commitment, courage, compassion, credibility and integrity and continue to strive for excellence.

He congratulated the cadets and parents of the passing-out course and specially the award-winners. He thanked the parents for sending their children to the academy and said that the entire nation is proud of them. He also appreciated the effort put in by the Commandant and the entire training staff at NDA for having trained such fine cadets and honed their skills.

A fly-past by three Su-30MKI aircraft each in VIC formation marked the culmination of this grand event.