OTA Chennai Winter Term Passing Out Parade 2026

Passing Out Parade is always an occasion of great pride and emotional moments for everyone involved in it at the Officers Training Academy. On this day, officer cadets complete their hard military training and finally get their stars on their shoulders as commissioned officers of the Indian Army.

Passing Out Parade for the Winter Term 2026 was an impressive and inspiring ceremony that took place at the renowned drill square of the academy located in Chennai. For the cadets, their families, and academy staff, it was an occasion full of joy, discipline, and hard work.

A Brief History of OTA Chennai

The history of the Officers Training Academy dates back to the years following the Sino-Indian War. After the Sino-Indian War, the need for the army to have enough officers became imperative. Therefore, two Officer Training Schools were established in 1963, with one being located in Madras, now known as Chennai, and the other in Pune.

The Officer Training School in Pune was closed down in 1964, but the one in Madras has grown to become the Officers Training Academy. In 1988, the academy officially adopted the name OTA.

A major milestone came in 1992, when the academy started training women to become officers in the Indian Army. Today, OTA Chennai is one of the premier institutions that trains officers under the Short Service Commission (SSC).

Over the past six decades, more than 27,000 officers, including over 3,000 women officers, have passed out from this prestigious academy. It has also trained officer cadets from several friendly foreign countries.

The Motto and Spirit of the Academy

The motto of the academy:

“Serve with Honour.”

This motto represents values that are imparted to each officer cadet during their training. These values include courage, discipline, integrity, leadership, and service to the nation.

During their rigorous training, which spans 49 weeks, these cadets are trained physically, mentally, and morally to lead their soldiers in extreme conditions such as high-altitude mountains, deserts, and dense jungles.

A Spectacular Military Parade

The Passing Out Parade started with the ceremonial events as the contingents entered the parade ground in perfect sync. The cadets, dressed in their best, marched with pride, reflecting the discipline and training imparted to them over the past year.

Some of the companies taking part in the Passing Out Parade are as follows:

Meiktila Company
Jessami Company
Kohima Company
Zojila Company
Nowshera Company
Flora Company

These companies reflect the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the historic battles.

Dignitaries Who Reviewed the Parade

The parade was commanded by Michael Anthony Jude Fernandez, the Commandant of OTA Chennai.

The parade was reviewed by Manoj Kumar Katiyar, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command.

On reviewing the parade, Lt Gen Katiyar congratulated the officer cadets and appreciated their discipline and drill performance.

Awards Presented to Outstanding Cadets

Several prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony to recognise exceptional performance during training.

Sword of Honour

The Sword of Honour, awarded to the best all-round officer cadet, went to:

Academy Cadet Adjutant Posh Bish

OTA Gold Medal

Awarded to the cadet standing first in overall merit:

Academy Under Officer Chirag Goyat

OTA Silver Medal

Awarded to the cadet second in the order of merit:

Battalion Under Officer Pushpender Rathore

OTA Bronze Medal

Awarded to the cadet third in the overall order of merit:

Academy Cadet Adjutant Posh Bish

Best Foreign Officer Cadet

This award was presented to:

Junior Under Officer Shriana Ghalley from Bhutan

Chief of Army Staff Banner

The Best All-Round Company of the term was:

Magdala Company

These awards highlighted the dedication and excellence shown by the cadets during their demanding training period.

Leadership Lessons for Young Officers

In his address, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar congratulated the newly commissioned officers and reminded them that being an officer is not just about wearing stars on their shoulders.

He reminded them that being a leader is not just about wearing stars on their shoulders.

He advised the newly commissioned officers that they should:

Put their soldiers before themselves
Keep themselves physically fit
Adhere to high moral values
Keep learning throughout their careers
Lead by examples

He also reminded them that the Indian Army is standing firm on its three principles of loyalty, Naam, Namak, Nishan.

The Emotional “Antim Pag”

One of the most emotional moments of the parade is the Antim Pag, or the final step.

As the cadets marched forward to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, they were taking the final step to transform themselves from cadets to officers.

The parents and families watching from the stands saw their children achieve their dream, which requires immense dedication, discipline, and sacrifice.

The grandeur of the occasion was enhanced by the flypast of the Chetak helicopters, which saluted the newly commissioned officers from the air.

Start Your Journey to OTA with Centurion Defence Academy

It is observed that many young aspirants start their journey by aspiring for the uniforms as they watch these proud military ceremonies. And for those who wish to pursue their aspirations as a career, their journey begins with proper guidance and support.

This is how institutions like Centurion Defence Academy play their role:

Trusted Name in Defence Preparation

Over the years, Centurion Defence Academy has built a strong reputation for preparing students for major defence exams.

Comprehensive Exam Guidance

The academy provides expert coaching for key defence entrance exams, such as:

Campuses in Major Defence Preparation Hubs

Students can train at their campuses located in:

Lucknow
Dehradun

Focus on Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs)

The academy emphasises not just academic preparation but also personality development, leadership, communication skills, and discipline qualities essential for becoming an officer.

Specialised SSB Training Program in Lucknow and Dehradun

Their structured SSB preparation program in Lucknow and Dehradun includes:

Psychological test practice
GTO task training
Personal interview guidance
Realistic mock assessments
Personalized mentoring

Experienced Mentors & Structured Preparation

Aspirants are also able to tap into the experience of their faculty members, who are able to provide them with valuable insights into each step of the defence selection process.

For many students, institutes like Centurion Defence Academy become the first step in a long journey, a journey that one day leads them to prestigious military training institutions like the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.

And who knows

The next young officer proudly crossing the Antim Pag at **Officers Training Academy, Chennai, might just be one of them.