A total of 2,966 Agniveers, including 402 women, graduated from the Indian Navy’s premier training establishment, INS Chilka in Odisha, on Friday. This event marked the culmination of 16 weeks of intensive naval training. Additionally, 288 senior secondary recruits (medical assistants) and 227 Naviks also completed their training during the ceremony.
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Agniveers were recruited into the Indian Navy under the government’s “Agnipath Scheme,” launched in June 2022. The plan was to enroll young recruits on a four-year tenure in the military, given an opportunity to work for their country and progress in their careers. The Agniveer program was designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the military by bringing in a youthful, dynamic workforce that is technologically savvy and adaptable to modern warfare.
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The passing-out parade (POP) held at INS Chilka was a unique post-sunset ceremony. It was presented to Vice Admiral V Srinivas for review and witnessed by Commodore B Deepak Aneel, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Graduating cadets’ relatives were also present to be part of this momentous occasion. The ceremony not only indicated the successful culmination of their induction training but also reiterated the stepping stone to a new phase of life in the Indian Navy.
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During his address on the occasion, Commodore Aneel praised the Agniveers for their hard work, discipline, and commitment during training. He requested them to continue honing their skills, stay updated with technology, and be guided by the Navy’s core values of duty, honor, and courage. He said that as they begin their naval careers, they have to maintain the nation’s honor and perform with grit.
Outstanding Agniveers were honored during the event. Devraj Singh Rathore and Pramodh Singh received the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and Gold Medal for the best Agniveers in the MR and SSR categories. Mansa Gulivindhala was recognized as the Best Woman Agniveer, and Mohit Kumar received the Director General’s Gold Medal for Best Navik.
