Over 3,000 Indian Navy and Coast Guard trainees pass out from INS Chilka
New Delhi, June 13. A total of 3,011 trainees, including 116 women Agniveers, graduated from INS Chilka on June 12 after successfully completing 16 weeks of intensive basic naval training, marking their induction into the ranks of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
The Passing Out Parade for Batch 01/26 signified the successful transformation of the recruits into trained and disciplined personnel prepared to undertake the responsibilities of military service.
The batch comprised 2,746 Agniveers of the Indian Navy, including 116 women, and 265 Naviks of the Indian Coast Guard.
The parade was reviewed by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Commodore B Deepak Aneel, Station Commander of INS Chilka, served as the Conducting Officer. The event was attended by senior serving officers, veterans, distinguished guests and family members of the graduating trainees.
Addressing the passing out personnel, Vice Admiral Vatsayan congratulated them on completing the demanding training programme and urged them to uphold the Navy’s core values of duty, honour and courage while serving the nation with dedication, integrity and professionalism.
Several trainees were honoured for their outstanding performance during the course. Kornana Dhanalakshmi received the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and Gold Medal for Best Trainee in the Senior Secondary Recruit category, while Rudhikesh Maruti Pawar secured the same distinction in the Matric Recruit category.
Prapti Ramesh Chavhan was awarded the Rolling Trophy for Best Woman Trainee in the overall order of merit, while Devasish was adjudged the Best Navik (General Duty) among the Coast Guard trainees.
Ahead of the parade, INS Chilka organised a valedictory function featuring the presentation of the End-of-Term Report and a cultural programme performed by the trainees. Kharavela Division emerged as the overall champion, with Angre Division finishing as runners-up.
The occasion also saw the release of Ankur (01/26), the bilingual trainees’ magazine documenting the experiences, accomplishments and journey of the recruits during their 16-week training period at INS Chilka.
INS Chilka, located in Odisha, is the premier basic training establishment of the Indian Navy and plays a crucial role in shaping newly inducted sailors and Agniveers into combat-ready personnel for naval service.
