A first-year cadet at the National Defense Academy (NDA), Pune, complained of restlessness during routine physical training on Friday morning and later died, the Defense PRO office said.
Cadet Abhinav Bajpai (17), a native of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, joined the prestigious Triple Training Institute at Khadakwasla near Pune on June 24, 2026.
During a routine morning physical training class following the first official physical training parade after joining the academy, he complained of anxiety and suddenly collapsed, according to a statement issued by the Defense Public Affairs Officer’s Office (PRO).
The cadet was immediately transferred to the Khadakwasla Military Hospital, where the medical team carried out intensive resuscitation measures. Despite concerted efforts, the cadet could not be revived and was pronounced dead, the report said.
The court of inquiry has been tasked with establishing the facts and circumstances leading to the incident, and the injured cadet’s next of kin and the police have been informed, the statement said.
“The National Defense Academy expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Established seven decades ago, NDA prepares cadets to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
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