NDA Cadet Abhinav Bajpai Dies During First PT Parade; Court of Inquiry Ordered

Cadet Abhinav Bajpai, 17, collapsed and died during routine physical training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla on Friday morning, July 11. He had joined the tri-services academy on June 24, less than three weeks before the incident. The cadet complained of uneasiness during his first official PT parade, lost consciousness, and could not be revived despite emergency care at the Military Hospital on campus. The NDA has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause.

What happened during the PT session

Cadet Bajpai, from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, collapsed during the morning physical training session on Friday. According to the Defence Public Relations Office in Pune, he complained of uneasiness and suddenly became unconscious. Medical staff immediately evacuated him to the Military Hospital at Khadakwasla, where doctors attempted intensive resuscitation. Despite sustained medical efforts, he could not be saved and was declared dead on Friday morning.

The cadet’s background and family’s reaction

Bajpai was an academically brilliant student who dreamed of serving the nation, according to his father Pradeep Kumar Bajpai, a ward orderly at a government hospital in Kanpur. His father said supporting his son’s NDA dream was a mistake, noting that Abhinav had the aptitude to become a doctor or engineer but chose military service. The family said Abhinav was excited when admitted on June 24 and never complained during their phone calls about the tough training.

Third cadet death in nine months

Bajpai’s death is the third NDA cadet death since October 2025, according to Indian Express. The pattern has raised questions about safety protocols during physical training at the academy. The NDA has not disclosed details of the previous two deaths or any changes to training procedures.

Investigation underway

The National Defence Academy has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident. Local police in Pune recorded statements from Bajpai’s parents and fellow cadets present during the training session on Saturday. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and viscera samples were collected for further analysis. The NDA extended condolences to the bereaved family but has not yet released findings from the inquiry.

Final Thoughts

Bajpai’s death within three weeks of joining the NDA raises urgent questions about cadet safety during physical training. The Court of Inquiry will determine whether medical or procedural factors contributed to the tragedy, with findings likely to influence training protocols across India’s defence academies.

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