Proud Moment for Punjab: Four AFPI cadets commissioned as Lieutenants in Indian Army
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 5, 2026: Punjab’s military tradition received a fresh boost on Saturday as four cadets from the state’s Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes were commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army at a passing-out parade held at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
The four newly commissioned officers include two women cadets from the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Girls and two cadets from the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI).
The spectacular passing-out parade at OTA Chennai was reviewed by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM & VSM.
Among the newly commissioned officers, Lady Cadet Deepnoor has joined the prestigious Army Aviation Corps, while Lady Cadet Diksha Dhiman has been commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps.
Deepnoor is the daughter of Sukhbir Singh, Professor at Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur, and Ramanpreet Kaur, a government school teacher. Diksha Dhiman is the daughter of businessman Pawan Kumar of Pathankot and Indu.
The two MRSAFPI cadets also brought laurels to Punjab. Cadet Ishpreet Singh Dhillon has joined the Regiment of Artillery, while Lieutenant Arsh Singh has been commissioned into the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch.
Arsh Singh, son of Major General P.S. Sandhu (Retd.), is a second-generation Army officer, continuing his family’s military legacy.
Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora said the young officers would inspire thousands of youngsters across the state to pursue careers in the Armed Forces.
Arora reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to supporting and guiding young people aspiring to become commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.
Major General Jasbir Singh Sandhu, AVSM (Retd.), Director, Mai Bhago AFPI, congratulated the officers and said their achievement would further strengthen the institute’s mission of preparing more daughters of Punjab for careers as officers in the Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd.), Director, MRSAFPI, congratulated the newly commissioned officers and urged them to uphold the nation’s ideals and bring pride to their alma mater.
He also revealed that 15 more MRSAFPI cadets have cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) and are awaiting joining letters for the December 2026 course.