Bhubaneswar: INS Chilka, the Indian Navy’s premier basic training establishment, is set to host the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 02/25 batch of naval trainees on January 8, 2026. The ceremony will mark the successful completion of 16 weeks of intensive ab-initio training, formally inducting the trainees into the operational fold of the Indian Navy.
The passing-out batch comprises around 2,700 trainees, including approximately 2,100 Agniveers, of whom more than 110 are women. The event represents a significant milestone in the careers of the young sailors as they begin their journey of service to the nation under the Agnipath scheme.
Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, will be the Chief Guest and will review the post-sunset Passing Out Parade. The ceremony will be attended by family members of the trainees, distinguished naval veterans and eminent sports personalities, lending the occasion a sense of pride and national importance.
The Passing Out Parade underscores the Indian Navy’s enduring emphasis on training as the foundation of a professional and combat-ready force. INS Chilka has long played a critical role in shaping raw recruits into disciplined and resilient sailors, equipping them with the physical endurance, mental toughness and professional skills required to operate onboard modern naval platforms.
Following the parade, the Chief Guest will preside over the Valedictory Function, during which awards and trophies will be presented to meritorious trainees and the Champion Division. On the occasion, the bilingual trainees’ magazine Ankur will also be formally unveiled.
To enable wider participation, the Passing Out Parade will be live-streamed on the Indian Navy’s official YouTube channel and Facebook page, and broadcast through the regional Doordarshan network, allowing citizens across the country to witness the landmark event.
