In a landmark moment for India’s defence and strategic education ecosystem, the National Academy of Defence Production (NADP) hosted the convocation ceremony for the inaugural batch of its AICTE-approved Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Business Management) – PGDM (BM) for the academic year 2023–25. The event, held at NADP’s Utsav Hall, marked a major milestone in aligning business acumen with national defence priorities.
Presiding over the ceremony was the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, whose keynote address laid a compelling vision for the nation’s future. He urged the graduating students to become torchbearers of India’s push for self-reliance in defence production and strategic leadership.
“India believes in you. The world is watching you. And history will be shaped by you,” the Governor said, adding that the convocation was not just a celebration for NADP but a significant moment for the country’s larger defence ambitions.
He praised the Modi Government’s bold reforms in the defence sector, particularly its success in boosting arms exports and expanding the scope for indigenous manufacturing. Citing Maharashtra’s potential in becoming a hub for defence industrial corridors, he encouraged stakeholders to capitalise on the momentum to reinforce India’s technological and strategic capabilities.
The Governor applauded NADP’s visionary move to launch a unique PGDM (BM) program — one that blends core business principles with defence production and policy leadership. He stressed that NADP graduates were not just entering the workforce but stepping into roles critical to India’s mission of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).
Dr. J.P. Dash, Principal Director of NADP, echoed this sentiment, calling the program a pioneering initiative in India’s higher education space. “It is a rare fusion of management excellence and patriotic vision,” he said, highlighting that the course has already seen 100% placement and internship success. Graduates have secured strategic roles at top organisations including MKU, Tata Advanced Systems, L&T Defence, Lohia Aerospace, KPMG, Quantum Ventures, ITC, and Indian Bank.
Academic achievements were also recognised during the event, with Shri Saurav Kumar awarded the Gold Medal and Shri Rohit Jadhav receiving the Silver Medal for their outstanding academic and leadership contributions.
Senior defence officials and industry leaders lent their support at the ceremony. Shri Sanjay Hazari, Chairman and Managing Director of Munitions India Limited (MIL), and Shri N.P. Naik, Director (HR), MIL, praised the graduating batch and reiterated MIL’s commitment to nurturing future leaders through advanced training, research, and strategic investment.
The convocation also witnessed participation from dignitaries such as Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM, Dr. Prashant Narnaware (I.A.S.), and Prof. (Dr.) Prem Lal Patel, Director of VNIT, along with representatives from the Indian Armed Forces, defence PSUs, private sector firms, and academia.
A New Chapter Begins
The ceremony concluded with a strong and unified message: the NADP graduates are not just stepping into careers—they are stepping into a responsibility. A responsibility to drive India’s strategic evolution with innovation, purpose, and unwavering national commitment.
