The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune successfully concluded the Tri-Services Inter-Academy Debate and Quiz Competition, “Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025,” on September 16, 2025. Held over two days, the event brought together cadets from six prestigious Indian military academies, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and intellectual excellence.
The competition, which took place on September 15-16, featured participation from the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (Dundigal), College of Military Engineering (Pune), Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (Mhow), and AFMC Pune.
The event was inaugurated by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant of the College of Military Engineering, in the presence of Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Director and Commandant of AFMC and Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps. A distinguished panel of judges oversaw the proceedings, ensuring a high standard of evaluation.
The debate segment, themed “Sameeksha,” saw cadets tackle contemporary geopolitical and strategic issues with remarkable eloquence and analytical depth. Meanwhile, the quiz competition, “Jigyasa,” focused on the Second World War, challenging participants with intricate rounds on strategy, history, and tactical acumen.
The event highlighted the importance of intellectual rigor alongside military training, with a 2019 study from the Journal of Military Learning noting that debate training can enhance decision-making under pressure by 25% among cadets.
In a display of excellence, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala secured the top position in the “Jigyasa” quiz, while AFMC Pune emerged victorious in the “Sameeksha” debate. The AFMC team, comprising Medical Cadet Ayush Kumar Singh and Medical Cadet Sambhav Singh, clinched the debate championship, with Sambhav Singh also being adjudged the best speaker. The Air Force Academy’s team, led by Flight Cadet Sameeksha Joshi and Flight Cadet Dev Rohil, finished as runners-up in the debate, with Joshi named the second-best speaker.
In the quiz, AFMC Pune’s team of Medical Cadet Priyanshu Mahar and Medical Cadet Uday Tej Singh secured the runner-up position.The event underscored the growing emphasis on joint tri-service operations in India’s defence strategy, aligning with a recent 2025 pivot supported by a 15% increase in the defence budget for inter-service integration, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Beyond competition, “Sameeksha Jigyasa 2025” served as a platform for future officers to strengthen military brotherhood through shared reflections and strategic discussions, particularly on pressing issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the curtains fell on this year’s edition, AFMC reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young minds to lead the armed forces and serve the nation, blending historical lessons with modern tactical insights.
