The Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, hosted its Winter Term Passing Out Parade (POP) on 7 March 2026 at the iconic Parameshwaran Drill Square. The ceremony formally commissioned 345 officer cadets — including 27 women — into the Indian Army as Lieutenants. Four officer cadets from friendly foreign nations, including two women, also successfully completed their training alongside their Indian counterparts.

The parade was reviewed by Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command. In his address to the graduating officers, Lt Gen Katiyar underscored the importance of unwavering dedication and acknowledged the quiet sacrifices that lie behind every commission.

The Ceremony

The parade commenced in the early hours of the morning and was broadcast live on Doordarshan and other media platforms, enabling families and defence enthusiasts across India to witness the occasion. Cadets executed precise drill formations and synchronized marches, demonstrating the high standards maintained at OTA throughout the training period.

The ceremony followed the time-honoured traditions of the academy — the national anthem, the solemn oath of allegiance, and the symbolic Final Slow March to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, marking the moment cadets cross the threshold from trainees to commissioned officers. The event was preceded, on 6 March 2026, by a multi-activity display showcasing the cadets’ physical prowess — including Army Martial Art Regime (AMAR), equestrian maneuvers, Kalaripayattu, and a bunker-bursting combat drill.

Also on 6 March, OTA Chennai held the Gaurav Padak ceremony, where Commandant Lt Gen Michael A.J. Fernandez, AVSM, VSM, honoured the parents of graduating officer cadets — a tribute to the families whose support and sacrifices helped shape the next generation of Army leaders.

Courses Commissioned

The Winter Term 2026 parade saw the commissioning of cadets from two distinct courses:

Course	Category	Officers Commissioned
SSC-121	Short Service Commission (Men)	318 cadets
SSC (Women)-35	Short Service Commission (Women)	27 cadets
Foreign Cadets	Friendly Foreign Nations (incl. 2 women)	4 cadets

About OTA Chennai

Established in 1963 following the Sino-Indian War, the Officers Training Academy at Chennai is one of India’s premier institutions for training Short Service Commission officers. Over six decades, more than 27,000 officers — including over 3,000 women officers — have been commissioned from this academy. Since 1992, OTA Chennai has also trained women officers, and has produced commissioned officers from several friendly foreign nations.

The 49-week training programme integrates academic instruction, physical conditioning, leadership development, and character-building — preparing cadets to lead in diverse operational environments ranging from high-altitude terrain to counter-insurgency operations.

Watch the Passing Out Parade

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