Chandigarh, September 27:

Adding yet another feather in the cap of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) SAS Nagar (Mohali), as many as 35 cadets of the Institute have cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA)-2 written examination conducted by the UPSC. Notably, 46 cadets of the 12th Course of the institute were appeared in the exam, of which, 35 (76.08%) passed the entrance examination for the NDA. This is the highest percentage achieved by the Institute since its inception.

Notably, 19 cadets out of 26 of the previous 11th Course of AFPI also cleared the examination. These cadets would now be trained for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview in the Institute.

Congratulating the cadets for their feat, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the Indian Army enjoyed the reputation of being one of the finest forces in the world. A career in the Armed Forces held promise of bringing honour and glory to the nation. He wished them all the very best for the future. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed to fulfil the aspirations of the state youth who aspire to join the Defence Services to serve the Nation, he added.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh AFPI Director Major General Ajay H Chauhan (Retd.) said that a total of 217 cadets of this Institute have joined different Service Training Academies since its inception and 141 alumni of this Institute have been commissioned as officers in the Defence Services till date. In addition, 10 cadets of the Institute have cleared the SSB and are awaiting the merit list, while 08 cadets are due for their SSB. He also wished them the best for the SSB training so that they clear the next hurdle to NDA.