Indian Navy, Coast Guard to pass out record batch of over 3,300 trainees at INS Chilka on November 13

New Delhi: More than 3,300 Indian Navy Agniveers and Indian Coast Guard Naviks are set to complete their initial training at INS Chilka in Odisha on November 13, forming the largest batch ever to pass out from the establishment. The Passing Out Parade will mark the graduation of the ninth batch of naval Agniveers after 16 weeks of training alongside Coast Guard recruits.

The chief of the naval staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, will review the parade as chief guest, and reviewing officer, the defence ministry announced on Monday.

The record-sized contingent reflects the scale of training undertaken at INS Chilka, the Navy’s premier establishment for preparing new entrants for maritime service. Completing the course is an initial training milestone, rather than a commissioning ceremony or immediate assignment to operational duties.

The 16-week programme combines classroom instruction with physical conditioning, swimming, parade drills, outdoor activities and camps. Training also emphasizes leadership, character development, discipline, camaraderie and teamwork, alongside the naval values of duty, honour and courage.

The Navy said the curriculum is designed to build physical fitness, mental resilience and professional competence before recruits proceed to the next stages of their careers.

Although they train at the same establishment, naval Agniveers and Coast Guard Naviks enter different services. Agniveers are recruited into the Navy under the Agnipath scheme, while Naviks belong to the Indian Coast Guard.

Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, flag officer commanding in chief (FOC-in-C) of the Southern Naval Command, will preside over the valedictory function associated with the parade.

Awards will be presented to meritorious trainees, the champion division and the best instructor in recognition of performance during the course. The ceremony will also feature the unveiling of Ankur, a bilingual magazine for trainees.

Families of the graduating recruits, naval veterans and other invited guests are expected to attend. The Indian Navy will stream the event through its official social media platforms, allowing viewers unable to attend to follow the proceedings.

The parade follows a November 4 cabinet decision revising the Agnipath scheme, introduced in 2022. Under the revised framework, 25 per cent of Agniveers will be offered regular service after four years based on merit, while the remaining 75 per cent may opt for another two years of engagement, RNA Media reported earlier.

Agniveers completing the additional two-year engagement will have a pathway to regular enrolment without a fixed percentage ceiling, subject to willingness and prescribed selection criteria. Those selected for regular service after four years will retain seniority over personnel enrolled after six years, RNA Media reported earlier.