General Vijay Kumar Singh, the current Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of Army Staff, visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, to serve as the Reviewing Officer of the Spring Term 2025 Passing Out Parade (POP). His return to the academy where his military journey began marked a full-circle moment in a distinguished career spanning over four decades.
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General Singh, a 1970 graduate of the Indian Military Academy and a veteran of the 2nd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, stood tall in the ceremonial khaki PT dress—shorts, shirt, and knee-high socks—during the parade. Photos of him walking alongside senior officers, beneath the inscription “Hunters at the Helm,” quickly circulated on social media, drawing attention to the moment’s symbolism. The phrase echoed General Singh’s enduring reputation for decisive and action-oriented leadership throughout his career.
The parade was a formal and dignified affair, with General Singh overseeing the passing out of future officers of the Indian Armed Forces. His presence underscored the continuity of military tradition and the deep bond between generations of NDA graduates. Among those present was Col Shiv Raichand (Signals), a former commanding officer from the early 1990s, highlighting the long-standing relationships formed in uniform.
General Singh’s stature as a former Army Chief and recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) was acknowledged by many in attendance. As the first commando to rise to the position of Chief of Army Staff, his career remains a source of inspiration for young cadets.
The use of the colonial-era khaki uniform—still worn ceremonially despite the Indian Army’s official adoption of olive green post-independence—sparked quiet conversation among observers about tradition and modern identity within the armed forces.
While General Singh has since transitioned into political and gubernatorial roles, many in the military fraternity continue to admire his leadership style and straightforward approach. Though he served as a Minister of State in the Second Modi Ministry after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014, some observers feel his potential as Defence Minister was constrained by political calculations.
His visit to NDA as Reviewing Officer was a reminder of the legacy he helped shape and the expectations placed on future officers. As one cadet noted, “Watching him today was like seeing history walk past us. You don’t forget moments like these.”
