The new Army officers are Paramjot Singh from Hoshiarpur, son of a businessman and a staff nurse with the Health Department; Abhay Singh Raghav from Mohali, son of a Civil Registration Officer with the Health Department and a private school teacher; Aniket Kahol from Hoshiarpur, son of a businessman; and Anurag Chauhan from Pathankot.

President Droupadi Murmu reviews passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

Seven alumni of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), Mohali, were commissioned into the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force on Saturday.

Four have become officers in the Army as part of the 158th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, the passing out parade of which was reviewed by President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The new Army officers are Paramjot Singh from Hoshiarpur, son of a businessman and a staff nurse with the Health Department; Abhay Singh Raghav from Mohali, son of a Civil Registration Officer with the Health Department and a private school teacher; Aniket Kahol from Hoshiarpur, son of a businessman; and Anurag Chauhan from Pathankot.

Three have become Flying Officers from the Air Force Academy’s 217th Course in Dundigal near Hyderabad. The Combined Graduation Parade was reviewed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Air Force officers include Udaibir Singh from Ropar, son of an Air Force veteran; Vasu Mehta from SAS Nagar, whose parents are government teachers; and Karan Kaushish, also from SAS Nagar, whose mother works in the judicial court while his father is a businessman.

The Air Force officers include Udaibir Singh from Ropar, son of an Air Force veteran; Vasu Mehta from SAS Nagar, whose parents are government teachers; and Karan Kaushish, also from SAS Nagar, whose mother works in the judicial court while his father is a businessman.

Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora has congratulated the cadets on their commissioning and exhorted them to work even harder in their careers as service officers and serve with distinction.

Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, (retd), Director of MRSAFPI, congratulated the cadets and asked them to uphold the ideals of the defence services and bring honour to the nation, state and their alma mater.

The Army paid tribute to Rifleman Aurangzeb Khan on Sunday, commemorating the eighth anniversary of his supreme sacrifice in service to the nation.

Aurangzeb was abducted and later killed by terrorists in Pulwama district of Kashmir while he was on his way home to celebrate Eid with his family. His courage, dedication, and sacrifice continue to inspire generations and strengthen the resolve for peace and security in the region.

An official said, “Eight years have passed, but the memory of Rifleman Aurangzeb Khan, Shaurya Chakra, continues to remain deeply etched in the hearts of his family, comrades and the people of his native village, Salani in Poonch.”

On his eighth death anniversary, a memorial function was organised at Salani, where the Army, civil administration, family members, and hundreds of local villagers gathered to pay tributes to the brave son of the soil. The atmosphere was filled with emotion, pride and patriotism as floral tributes were offered in remembrance of his supreme sacrifice.

The official said the memorial function, organised by his family and supported by the Army, witnessed an overwhelming response from the entire sub-division. The gathering reflected the sentiment that such bravehearts belong not only to their families but to the entire nation.

He further said that Romeo Force and the people of Mendhar paid tributes to Aurangzeb and reaffirmed their commitment to carrying forward his legacy of courage, service and sacrifice.

Only Indian Army cavalry unit that has an affiliation with the British Army’s Royal Tank Regiment

Among the oldest and most highly decorated armoured regiments of the Indian Army, 2nd Lancers has the unique distinction of being the parent unit for three Chiefs of the Army Staff – the highest number for any unit.

The Army Chief designate, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, scheduled to take over the reins of the Indian Army on June 30, was commissioned into this regiment in December 1986, though he later commanded 1st Horse.

Earlier, Gen Maharaj Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, the first Chief from the Armoured Corps who held office from January 1952 to May 1955, was posted to the regiment when he joined the Indian Army about a year after his commissioning from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1921, where he had been placed on the Unattached List for the Indian Army and seconded to a British Infantry regiment. At that time post-commission attachment of Indian officers with a British unit for about a year was mandatory. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Gen Jadeja commanded 2nd Lancers.

Gen Bipin Chandra Joshi, Army Chief from July 1993 to November 1994 (when he died in harness), was commissioned into 2nd Lancers in December 1954, though he later commanded 64 Cavalry at the Western Theatre during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

In the Armoured Corps, as also in some other arms like the Artillery and Engineers, a ‘regiment’ is the equivalent of an Infantry battalion, commanded by an officer of the rank of Colonel. In the Infantry, the term regiment denotes a group of battalions based on a particular caste, religious or regional composition, such as the Punjab Regiment, Jat Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Gorkha Riles, Maratha Light Infantry and Assam Regiment. Each such regiment has a number of battalions which are placed under different operational formations.

A few Army Chiefs have belonged to the same combat Arm or Infantry regiment, but instances of more than one Chiefs having affiliation to the same unit are rare. Gen KV Krishna Rao and Gen Krishnaswamy Sundarji, both from the Mahar Regiment, served initially with the regiment’s 2nd Battalion but went on to command the 3rd and 1st Battalion, respectively.

The 16th Light Cavalry, India’s oldest armoured regiment that was raised in 1776, is associated with two Chiefs – Gen Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri and Gen Vishwa Nath Sharma. Gen Chaudhuri had initially joined the 7th Light Cavalry and later commanded the 16th, whereas Gen Sharma was commissioned into the 16th and later commander 66 Armoured Regiment.

The Kumaon Regiment is associated with three Army Chiefs. Gen General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh and General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya had joined the 4th Battalion of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in the erstwhile British Indian Army, which after Independence was merged into the Kumaon Regiment and is now its 4th Battalion. Gen Tapishwar Narain Raina initially served with different battalions of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment and later commanded 14 Kumaon.

The Sikh Light Infantry, for example, has produced three Army Chiefs – Gen VP Malik, Gen Bikram Singh and Gen MM Naravane, but they are from different battalions of the regiment. Now having shot into prominence with the announcement of Gen Upendra Dwivedi’s successor, 2nd Lancers, also known as Gardner’s Horse after William Linnæus Gardner, a British officer who had raised it in 1809 at Farukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, was formed by the amalgamation of two of the oldest regiments of the East India Company’s Bengal Army – the 2nd Royal Lancers and the 4th Cavalry.

After initial policing duties in occupied territories around Agra, the regiment first saw active service in 1815 during the Anglo-Nepalese War, and till the outbreak of the First World War, was engaged in campaigns in Punjab, Bengal, Multan and Egypt. It was deployed in France during the First World War, where it was involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Bazentin, Battle of Flers–Courcelette, the Advance to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of Cambrai. It was on the Western Front that Lance-Daffadar Gobind Singh from the 27th Light Cavalry, attached to the 2nd Lancers, was awarded the Regiment’s only Victoria Cross for gallantry.

In 1918, the Regiment moved to Egypt, conducting several operations in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria and other areas of West Asia, before finally landing back in India in December 1920. World War – II saw the regiment back in Africa, serving in the Western Desert campaign as part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade under the 7th Armoured Division against the Axis attacks, and also deputing troops for the Indian Long Range Squadron formed to patrol the borders between the Soviet Union and Persia and Afghanistan.

On returning to India in January of 1943, 2nd Lancers was converted to an armoured car regiment. In October, Lt Col Jadeja became the first Indian officer to take command of the regiment and also became the first Indian to command an armoured regiment. Post-Independence, 2nd Lancers took part in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 as part of the 1st Armoured Division. The regiment was then equipped with American M-4 Sherman tanks and fought in the Battle of Phillora and the Battle of Chawinda, for which it was awarded the Battle Honour Punjab.

In August 1966, the regiment was the first unit in the Army to be equipped with the Vijayanta, the first indigenously built tank that had played a crucial role in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The regiment currently operates the Soviet-origin T-72 tanks.

2nd Lancers is the only Indian Army regiment that has an affiliation with British Army’s Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), the world’s oldest armoured establishment that was formed in 1916 during the First World War. According to the RTR website, the affiliation, a fraternal and ceremonial relationship based on shared history and traditions, was formed in 1973. Besides India, armoured or cavalry regiments from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and Pakistan are similarly affiliated. The current British monarch, King Charles III, is the Colonel-in-Chief of the RTR.

ravellers from Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu and Dharamsala will now have direct access to the National Capital Region through the newly inaugurated Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar, with IndiGo on Monday becoming the first airline to commence commercial operations from the airport.

The airline’s launch is expected to significantly improve connectivity for passengers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Beginning July 1, IndiGo will operate a daily flight from Chandigarh to Noida, departing at 7.30 am and arriving at 8.35 am, while the return flight will leave Noida at 6.10 am and reach Chandigarh at 7.10 am.

An additional service will be introduced from July 13, with flights operating on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Noida-Chandigarh flight will depart at 9.55 am and arrive at 10.55 am, while the Chandigarh-Noida service will leave at 12.20 pm and land at 1.35 pm.

Amritsar will also receive daily direct connectivity to Noida. The flight from Amritsar will depart at 11.55 am and arrive in Noida at 1.20 pm, while the return service will leave Noida at 10.10 am and reach Amritsar at 11.25 am.

For Jammu, IndiGo has scheduled a daily service from June 16 onwards. The Noida-Jammu flight will depart at 10.05 am and arrive at 11.20 am, while the Jammu-Noida service will take off at 12.10 pm and land at 1.30 pm.

Passengers travelling from Himachal Pradesh will also benefit from direct connectivity. The daily Dharamsala-Noida flight will depart at noon and reach Noida at 1.40 pm, while the return flight will leave Noida at 9.55 am and arrive in Dharamsala at 11.40 am.

The first IndiGo flight landed at Noida International Airport from Lucknow on Monday morning, while the inaugural departure from the airport was operated to Bengaluru. With the launch of operations, IndiGo will connect Noida with more than 16 destinations across the country.

The airline said the new network will also provide seamless one-stop connectivity from Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu and Dharamsala to several cities, including Jodhpur, Bhopal, Jaipur, Bareilly, Kishangarh and Pantnagar. The move is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity and reduce travel time for passengers from northern India.

IndiGo Chief Strategy Officer Aloke Singh said the opening of Noida International Airport marked a new chapter in India’s aviation sector and would create fresh opportunities for travellers across Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh. Noida International Airport Vice Chairman Christoph Schnellmann said IndiGo’s launch operations would provide passengers with greater convenience and travel choices from day one.

‘Unwell’ mariner dies on another vessel

An Indian seafarer died on board merchant vessel ‘MT Celestial’ due to lack of medical treatment as 14 Indian crew members of another ship, ‘MSV Virat 1’, were rescued after it faced an engine failure off the coast of Oman. The body of Nishanth Uirthanathan is being repatriated.

In a post, the Indian Embassy in Oman said it was coordinating with the local authorities, port officials and the shipping company regarding Uirthanathan, who died due to “medical conditions”.

The Embassy said the vessel had berthed at Duqm Port in Oman. “The mission is in touch with the family and facilitating all formalities for the earliest repatriation of the mortal remains to India,” it said.

Earlier, the Forward Seaman Union of India had posted a video showing fellow crew members using cold water to prevent the body from decomposing.

Referring to the incident involving ‘MSV Virat 1’, the Indian Embassy said all 14 seafarers had been rescued.

“The rescue operation involving Indian-flagged MSV Virat 1 has been successfully completed. All 14 crew members have been rescued and are presently on board ‘MV Jabal Ali 9’ heading to Mumbai. The crew is safe and in good health,” it said, posting a picture of the rescued mariners.

The Embassy had earlier said the mechanised sailing vessel was involved in an incident off the Oman coast. “It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a life raft,” it added.

This comes as three vessels with Indian crew members were targeted by the US in the region last week, leaving three seafarers dead.

In a statement later, the US Central Command claimed its naval helicopter assisted in the rescue of the 14 mariners.

Referring to the rescue, it said upon receiving a distress call from the stranded mariners, a US Navy P-8 aircraft was first on scene and responded by dropping a search and rescue kit that included a life raft, which the 14 mariners boarded.

“MV Jabal Ali 9 subsequently arrived on scene and recovered 11 crew members from the raft,” it said, adding that an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, rescued the three other mariners after their life raft capsized in the rough seas. The three were later transported to MV Jabal Ali 9 in good health.

Advisory to shipping agencies

The Directorate General of Shipping has advised maritime recruitment and placement agencies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders. This comes days after three Indian seafarers were killed in a US military strike off the Oman coast.

Incidents involving MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MV Jalveer during past few days have highlighted the increasing risks faced by commercial ships operating in the region

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has advised maritime recruitment and placement agencies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders, days after three Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello were killed after the US military strike on the commercial vessel off the Oman coast.

The DG Shipping in a circular said masters of vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, are advised to maintain heightened security awareness, closely monitor navigational warnings received and advisories issued from security agencies, and implement all applicable ship security measures and Company Security Procedures.

“This directorate further reiterates that all RPSL companies and shipping companies (maritime recruitment and placement agencies) are advised to restrict deployment or send Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders. However, companies may carry out crew change in emergency situations with the consent of crew members,” it said.

The circular noted that recent developments in the Gulf region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, have resulted in multiple security incidents involving merchant vessels carrying Indian seafarers.

Incidents involving MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MV Jalveer during past few days have highlighted the increasing risks faced by commercial ships operating in the region.

It added that the Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Indian Missions abroad and other stakeholders concerned to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers.

The circular said asked maritime companies and stakeholders to exercise the highest degree of vigilance and caution while operating in the conflict zone.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran was “now complete”

United States President Donald Trump on Monday announced the completion of the peace deal between the US and Iran, declaring the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of its naval blockade, a move he said would restore the free flow of global energy supplies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

The announcement came amid growing international efforts to end tensions in West Asia and follows days of intense diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran had been reached following extensive negotiations. Shehbaz Sharif said that both sides have also declared permanent termination of military operations in Lebanon.

The deal will be officially signed on June 19 in Switzerland.

In a post on X, Sharif stated, “Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

“The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland. We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of the State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement. I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye for their immense contributions in this regard,” Sharif said.

“With the agreement now in place, mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony,” he further added.

Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 14, 2026

Earlier on Sunday, Trump had indicated that the agreement remained on track despite fresh tensions triggered by Israeli strikes in Beirut and threats of retaliation from Iran.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said the agreement, originally expected to be signed earlier in the day, had been delayed by several hours following the escalation in Lebanon.

“It shook it up. It delayed the signing by a few hours,” Trump said, expressing frustration over the timing of the Israeli operation.

According to Axios, the strike in Beirut occurred shortly before the United States and Iran were expected to finalise the agreement. Trump had criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he was angered by the attack and believed it had complicated ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The US President maintained that the agreement would enhance regional security by preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and by establishing stronger oversight mechanisms for Tehran’s nuclear programme, including inspections and the disposal of nuclear material.

While Trump and Sharif announced that an agreement had been reached, Iranian officials have not yet publicly confirmed the deal.

The deal marks a potential end to the conflict in the region, which began on February 28, with US and Israel strikes killing Iran’s erstwhile Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

handigarh, June 12 (IANS) To celebrate 60 years of commissioning as officers of one of the finest Indian armies, living legends of the 37th regular course of the Indian Military Academy, comprising stalwarts of the 28th National Defence Academy (NDA), will be assembling in Chandigarh this week to commemorate their enduring and endearing bond.

They are 1966-batch officers, some of the course mates have been martyred, while others left due to natural causes, will meet on June 14 and June 15 to perpetuate this unbreakable bond of friendship and camaraderie.

The motto of the diamond jubilee reunion is: “Time can erode the mountains and age can grey the hair, but the bonds forged in olive green only grow stronger with each passing decade.”

It was on the historic day of June 15, 1966, close to 300 officer cadets marched past the portals of the Chetwode Hall, with the Chetwode motto etched forever in their hearts.

A Ceremonial Pipping Ceremony was conducted on the night of June 15 at a grand function at the Chetwode Hall.

This is a prestigious military tradition where the Graduating Officer Cadets have their new rank insignia (pips) officially pinned on to their uniforms by their dear ones.

This also signifies the completion of their training as they stand on the threshold of a brave new world punctuated with challenges, adventure, supreme sacrifice but leading men fearlessly in battle, defending the nation at all costs and giving the enemy a bloody nose where warranted.

The officers of this large family of course mates have seen action in various theatres of war, notably the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, which has been covered in detail in the book, “War despatches 1971”, contributed to by 29 officers, course mates, who had seen action; the Kargil War and other offensive actions in terms of wresting the initiative from the adversary and dismantling their forward posts.

The officers of this course have held prestigious appointments at a very senior level such as Army Commander, Corps Commander, Heads of Training Institutions, UN Peace Keeping Force, etc.

The real test of their fortitude and selflessness came in 1971 when the boots on ground ably supported by superior airpower brought the enemy to their knees as they sought unconditional surrender and the liberation of Bangladesh was consummated.

A separate country of Bangladesh was formed, thanks to the indefatigable diligence and undiluted focus of the tri service stalwarts — the foot soldiers, the armour marauders ably supported by firepower from across the sky delivered a catastrophic blow on the enemy, who was forced to surrender.

These events have been succinctly brought out in the book “War Despatches 1971”, written by veterans of the 28th NDA officers from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, who took part in the action in the Eastern and Western Sectors during the India-Pakistan War, to blaze a new trail of adventure, bordering on the razor-sharp, ambushes and finally out-manoeuvring the enemy in his own backyard.

They stitched together heroic tales of conflict that resulted in the enemy biting the dust.

The book was well edited by Brigadier Balram S. Mehta, the then Vice-Chancellor of the Maharashtra University of Institute of Management and Technology. He had also written the book “The burning Chaffees”, a soldier’s first-hand account of the 1971 War. There have been many achievers in the 1966 course. Three deserve mention. The first is Lieutenant General Mohinder Puri PVSM, UYSM.

As the General Officer Commanding, the famous 8 Mountain Division, during the Kargil War, he strategised the counter-offensive operation against the enemy and captured Tololing and Tiger Hill to restore the sanctity of the Line of Control.

The second is Colonel Kuldeep Singh Garcha, a former polo player of India and an equestrian of international repute.

The third is Lieutenant Colonel Vivek Mundkur, an innovator par excellence, built a glider himself and mastered the art of flying it. He was the first to popularise hang-gliding in India. At the reunion, the former Gentlemen Cadets still hold the same fire in their hearts with the brotherhood to live forever.

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. Punjab Kesari assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Prannay Chhabra with his father on passing out from the National Defence Academy before joining the IMA.

Also passing out on Saturday is Cadet Suryansh Pathak, who will become the third generation in his family to wear the uniform

Born into a family where the uniform is more than attire, it is identity and with this he represents the fourth generation of warriors committed to the nation’s defence. The stars he wears are not just rank, but they are more of a responsibility. His journey reminds every young aspirant that a true legacy is not preserved by memory alone, it is renewed by action,” the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) said on Friday.

The family’s association with the armed forces began with his great-grandfather, Capt Gopaldas Banga, a doctor in the British Indian Army Medical Corps, who served in Egypt during the Second World War, according to information shared by ARTRAC.

Several Indian medical units served in Egypt and the wider North African campaign during the war, primarily attached to the 4^th and 5^th Indian Divisions under the British Eighth Army.

From the medical stream, the baton passed on to the Ordnance Corps with Prannay’s grandfather, Lt Col Arjun Dev Chhabra, whose responsibility was to ensure that fighting forces never lacked the tools of war.He later encouraged both his sons to join the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. Prannay’s uncle, Lt Col Naveen Chhabra (retd), served in the Regiment of Artillery. Prannay is also an alumnus of the NDA.

Prannay’s father, Maj Gen Praveen Chhabra, is a serving Armoured Corps officer. His appointments include General Officer Commanding 20 Mountain Division, Inspector General (Operations) with the National Security Guard, and General Officer Commanding 72 Sub Area in Ladakh.

“Now as Prannay prepares to script his own chapter in the Army, unlike inheritance of wealth or comfort, what flows through his lineage is something far rarer, a living tradition of sacrifice, discipline and honour. What makes his story remarkable is not merely continuity, but a conscious choice. In a world of expanding civilian opportunities, he has chosen the honourable profession of arms, the path that demands grit over glamour and courage over comfort. It is precisely the challenge that he embraces,” the Army said.

While there are a large number of second- and third-generation officers in the armed forces, fourth-generation service is relatively rare, and fifth-generation is even rarer. The course that passed out from IMA in December 2025 included a fifth-generation officer.

Also passing out on Saturday is Cadet Suryansh Pathak, who will become the third generation in his family to wear the uniform. His grandfather served in the Army Service Corps, while his father was commissioned into 11 Madras and served for 36 years.

As a young Major attached with the Rashtriya Rifles, his father was awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry for courage and leadership in counter-insurgency operations, and later commanded an Infantry Brigade along the Line of Control.

On his maternal side, the military tradition was equally strong; his grandfather served in the Gorkha Rifles for over three decades and fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

“As he prepares to join his parental unit, Suryansh recognises the responsibility before him. Soldiers will judge him by conduct, not by surname. The legacy behind him is strong, but his career will be defined by his own actions. The uniform demands nothing less,” ARTRAC said.

Among the eight pioneering women cadets of the first batch at IMA preparing to take the first step out of the Academy on Saturday is Ann Rose Mathew, who would be the second generation in her family. Her father is from the Indian Navy, which inspired and shaped her destiny.

This is the first time a serving military officer has been appointed Military Adviser to the NSCS, which is headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Previous holders of the post were all retired officers

Army Deputy Chief Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who served as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed the new Military Adviser (MA) to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).

This is the first time a serving military officer has been appointed Military Adviser to the NSCS, which is headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Previous holders of the post were all retired officers.

Lt Gen Ghai, whose military tenure runs until December 2027, is expected to assume charge shortly. His appointment to the NSCS was made earlier this week.

Lt Gen Ghai does not have the seniority or the mandatory residual service required for appointment as an Army Commander. He previously commanded the 15 Corps before serving as DGMO and later as Deputy Chief of the Army Staff.

Commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment, he has commanded an infantry battalion in the western sector, an independent brigade in the Central sector and a division in Arunachal Pradesh.

In the past, another serving officer, Lt Gen MU Nair, was appointed National Cyber Security Coordinator in the NSCS. However, Lt Gen Ghai will be the first serving officer to hold the post of Military Adviser.

Before him, the position was held by Gen NS Raja Subramani, who is now the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He was preceded by Air Marshal Sandeep Singh and, before him, Gen Anil Chauhan, who just retied as CDS.

Lt Gen Vinod Khandare was the first Military Adviser appointed to the NSCS under the Narendra Modi government after the post was revived in 2018.

Earlier, Lt Gen Prakash Menon, who retired in late 2011, was appointed Military Adviser in 2012 and served until 2014. He subsequently served as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the NSCS from March 2015 to 2017, reporting to Doval.