Why in News?

=> 50 youths from Uttar Pradesh became officers in the Indian Army after the Passing out Parade (POP) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Key Points:

=> A total of 377 cadets from across the country and abroad participated in the parade. A total of 288 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) belonging to 150 regular courses and 133 Technical Graduate Courses (TCCs) became proud officers of the Indian Army after passing out.

=> 89 Gentlemen Cadets from eight friendly countries have also passed out and joined the armies of their respective countries. Among the friendly countries, 43 cadets passed out from Afghanistan, 18 from Bhutan, 1 from Kyrgyzstan, 3 from Maldives, 1 from Nepal, 3 from Sri Lanka, 19 from Tajikistan, 1 from Tanzania.

=> Uttar Pradesh topped the table of state-wise representation of the GC with 50 officers. Uttarakhand with 33 GCs was second in the passing out team, while Bihar finished third with 28 GCs and Haryana fourth with 25 GCs.

=> A total of 2724 cadets from 34 friendly countries have passed out of the Indian Military Academy so far, while the Indian Military Academy has so far given 63 thousand 568 military officers to the country.