NDA’s New Facility To Accommodate 500 More Cadets

The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla near Pune will soon have a new spacious building, increasing its accommodation capacity from the present 1,920 to 2,400 cadets.

On November, 30, Presidnet Droupadi Murmu will lay the foundation stone for the new building having a capacity to accommodate four squadrons (120 cadets in each squadron).

The new building was a long-standing requirement considering that the NDA had added three new squadrons in 2012 to its then strength of 15 squadrons, but it had only four buildings (referred as battalions) to accommodate 16 squadrons. “The new building will be the fifth battalion. It will not only take care of Romeo and Quebec squadrons,” a senior NDA officer said.

The new building will be near quartermaster fort on the campus and have all the necessary facilities that other battalions have. The work of the new building will be completed in the next few years, the officer said. The squadron spirit is inculcated and nurtured throughout the cadet’s stay and an inter-squadron championship trophy is awarded to the best squadron during the passing out parade at the end of each term in recognition of teamwork and team spirit,” a senior NDA officer said.

The champion squadron holds the ‘champion banner for one term. The banner is carried during the passing out parade and other sports meets. Each squadron has its own nickname, an individual identity with a richly textured history and mascot.