Indian Navy Passing Out Parade 2026: 2,172 Trainees Graduate at INS Chilka

CHILKA, ODISHA | JAN 09, 2026

The Indian Navy celebrated a significant milestone on January 8, 2026, as the 02/25 batch of trainees completed their rigorous 16-week ab-initio training with a grand Passing Out Parade (POP) at INS Chilka. This post-sunset ceremonial event marked the graduation of 2,172 personnel, including 2,103 Agniveers (with 113 women Agniveers), 270 SSR Medical Assistants, 44 sports entry personnel, and 295 Naviks of the Indian Coast Guard. Reviewed by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, the parade showcased the high standards of discipline and professionalism these trainees attained during their transformation into combat-ready naval professionals. The inclusion of women Agniveers marching alongside their male counterparts served as a powerful testament to the Navy’s commitment to gender neutrality and inclusivity in operational roles.

During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Saxena congratulated the new graduates and urged them to uphold the Navy’s core values—Duty, Honour, and Courage—while remaining technologically adept in an evolving maritime landscape. He also expressed deep gratitude to the parents of the trainees for their contribution to the nation’s security. Highlighting individual excellence, Sashi B Kenchavagol and Jatin Mishra were honored as the Best Agniveers (SSR and MR respectively), while Anita Yadav received the Gen Bipin Rawat Rolling Trophy for the Best Woman Agniveer. The event also featured the unveiling of Ankur 2025, a bilingual magazine documenting the transformative journey of the Agniveers, and the awarding of the Overall Championship Trophy to the Kharavela Division.