NDA Khadakwasla

November 30, 2023

A commemorative postage stamp on the 75 glorious years in service of National Defence Academy, a premier defence institution of India :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 30, 2023

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp (CPS) on 75 Glorious years of National Defence Academy and appreciates its roles as the true foundation of India’s defence edifice.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Ms. Himani
Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302100

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune is a premier defence institution and a hallmark of global excellence in the sphere of military training. The idea of NDA as a training institution was conceived post the World War II to promote jointmanship and integrate the efforts of the future officers of the Army, Navy and the Air Force to deliver as a potent joint force in the face of the adversary.
NDA Khadakwasla is one of the first institutions in the world to impart combined training to officer cadets of the three services. The concept and genesis of NDA dates back to the period before Independence when a committee of eminent persons was entrusted with the evolution of a scheme to implement the joint services training concept. The scheme took shape and after a great deal of search and discussion, the site of World War II Combined Warfare School in the vicinity of Khadakwasla Lake near Pune was selected for the new academy.
In pursuance of this Scheme in 1946, the Indian Military Academy was initially renamed as the Armed Forces Academy and split into two wings, the “Inter Services Wing” and the “Military Wing”. The first batch of 190 cadets of the Army, Navy and Air Force commenced combined training on 16 January 1949 at Dehradun, in the Inter Services Wing (later renamed the “Joint Services Wing” or JSW).
The foundation stone of the NDA was laid by the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 06 October 1949. NDA was formally inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Mumbai, Shri Morarji Desai, on 16 January 1955. The first passing out parade, held at Khadakwasla was reviewed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 05 June 1955. The Joint Services Wing at Dehradun was subsequently relocated at Khadakwasla and came to be known as the “National Defence Academy”.
The NDA continues in its march towards nation building, confident that in the years to come, it will draw the finest of India’s youth who will pass through the portals of this “Cradle of Leadership”, perpetuating through their gallantry, dedication and sacrifice, the Academy’s motto ‘‘Seva Parmo Dharma”.
During the last seven decades, the Academy has established itself as an institution of rare distinction and rendered exemplary services to the nation. It has produced legends not only in the field of Military leadership but also in the field of science, technology, arts, literature and sports. The Academy is a unifying symbol of integration and jointmanship among the three wings of the Defence Services. The alumni of this unique nursery for character building and leadership have validated the objectives for which their Alma mater was established through their selfless service of loyalty, valour and heroism both in peace and in war – at home and abroad.
Since its inception, it has trained more than 38,000 cadets, including over 1,000 cadets from 32 friendly foreign countries. It has given the country two Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) and several of its Service Chiefs. Three of its alumni have been honoured with Param Vir Chakra and 12 with the Ashok Chakra, the nation’s highest awards for gallantry in war and peace respectively. The other gallantry awards of the alumni include 32 Maha Vir Chakras, 45 Kirti Chakras, 163 Vir Chakras and 152 Shourya Chakras. The Academy is proud of its alumni who have made the supreme sacrifice for their motherland. The NDA has the distinction of producing 2 CDS & several Chiefs of the three services.
The NDA will complete seventy-five years of eventful existence in January 2024 during which the 151^st Course will join the Academy. The year 2022 was etched in the golden letters in the history of NDA as for the first time female cadets joined 148^th NDA course paving the way for the other young girls in the country to follow their dream and become future military leaders. Their indomitable performance has put NDA on the global arena of military and political leadership.
On 16 January 2024, NDA will be completing 75 glorious years in service to the nation. It remains committed to maintain the highest traditions and toughest standards of its training and rededicates its unflinching commitment to the nation on this momentous occasion.
Text : Referenced from the content provided by the proponent.