A significant milestone was achieved today at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune as a new batch of medical cadets was formally commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) during a solemn ceremony held at the Bharadwaj Auditorium. The event was presided over by Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the first woman to head the AFMS since her appointment as Director General in 2024.
The ceremony was attended by senior officers, faculty members, veterans, and families of the cadets. Dignitaries included Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Commandant of AFMC, and Maj Gen Giriraj Singh, Dean of the institution. The event marked both a celebration of achievement and a reaffirmation of the values that underpin military medicine in India.
In her address, Surg Vice Admiral Sarin congratulated the newly commissioned officers and urged them to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards while serving the nation in uniform. She highlighted the critical role of military doctors not just in warzones, but also in disaster response, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions.
Since its establishment in 1962, AFMC has produced over 6,000 doctors who have served across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The institution’s contributions during key operations, including the Kargil War in 1999, have earned it a distinguished reputation in both national and military history.
The AFMS, which includes the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps, and Military Nursing Service, continues to evolve with advancements in medical technology and operational preparedness. According to 2023 data from the Ministry of Defence, the AFMS has recorded a 15% increase in deployment efficiency during overseas and peacekeeping assignments, underscoring its strategic importance.
This year’s commissioning ceremony not only marks the beginning of service for a new generation of military doctors but also symbolizes AFMC’s enduring role in shaping the future of India’s defence healthcare system.
