NDA POP 2025: Navy Chief Reminds Cadets That Leadership Begins With Duty, Not Rank

At the Passing Out Parade of the 149th National Defence Academy course on Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi delivered an address that blended tradition with a timely message. Speaking to the 329 graduating cadets, he emphasized that leadership in the Armed Forces is built not on rank, but on the values officers carry into their careers.

The Navy Chief, himself an NDA alumnus, stood on the Khetrapal Parade Ground and described the cadets as “the next generation of military leaders, disciplined, determined, and ready to safeguard the peace, security, and sovereignty of India, and those of our partner nations.”

A Parade Marked by Diversity and Confidence

This year’s course included 20 cadets from friendly foreign nations, the second batch of women cadets, 15 graduating this year, and young men from all three services completing their foundational military training.

The presence of foreign cadets, Admiral Tripathi said, reflected the trust partner nations place in India’s training ecosystem and underscored India’s growing role as a regional security partner.

On the women cadets, the Navy Chief was unequivocal: “The Services honor only one standard, and that is merit.”

His words were met with strong applause from the stands, where families had gathered early to witness the parade.

A Changing World, and a New Kind of Officer

Admiral Tripathi used part of his address to explain how the nature of conflict has evolved. He told the cadets they would enter “a complex world… one that no longer draws clear lines between peace and conflict, or truth and manipulation.”

For many young officers, this was the most direct summary of the landscape they will navigate, from information warfare and cyber threats to rapidly shifting geopolitics.

He reminded them that while technology evolves rapidly, the foundations of leadership remain constant. He framed those foundations in three words: competence, courage, and character.

The Three Virtues That Define Command

Competence, he said, is the core of military leadership. Quoting Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he reminded them that “professional knowledge and professional competence are the main attributes of leadership.”

Courage, he explained, is not the absence of fear but “the ability to advance despite fear.” He described it as a virtue strengthened through discipline and built by facing small challenges before larger ones arrive.

Character, he said, “is what you do when no one is watching.” He invoked the story of Captain Mahendranath Mulla, MVC, who remained on the bridge as INS Khukri sank in 1971, ensuring his sailors had a chance to escape. The act, Admiral Tripathi said, stands as a “timeless emblem of character” under the harshest test.

‘A Meaningful Life, Not an Easy One’

Perhaps the most human moment came when the Navy Chief told the cadets what many in uniform already know: the profession offers purpose, not predictability.

“I cannot guarantee a life that is easy or predictable,” he said. “But what I can guarantee is a meaningful life.”

For many in the audience, especially parents, the line captured both the demands and the dignity of military service.

A New Chapter Begins

As the parade concluded with the traditional slow march and the cadets’ final oath, the atmosphere on the ground was a mixture of pride and anticipation. The graduating officers will now move to their respective service academies for specialized training, carrying with them the values the Navy Chief placed at the heart of his speech.

For Access Hub readers, the POP offered a snapshot of the Armed Forces at a pivotal moment, honoring tradition, embracing change, and preparing young officers to serve in a world that is demanding, unpredictable, and deeply consequential.