**Summary: Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade at Garud Regimental Training Centre**
On May 23, 2026, the Ministry of Defence held a Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar. The event marked the successful completion of training for the "Garud" force, the elite Special Forces operatives of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
**Key Participants and Ceremony Highlights**
* **Chief Guest:** Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Rahul Gupta, ACAS Ops (Space), reviewed the parade.
* **Hosting Authority:** The Commandant of the Garud Regimental Training Centre received the Chief Guest and provided briefings on the training curriculum.
* **Awards and Recognition:** Successful trainees were presented with the Maroon Beret, Garud Proficiency Badge, and Special Forces Tabs. Trophies were also awarded to distinguished trainees.
**Demonstrated Capabilities**
During the passing out ceremony, the newly inducted "Young Special Forces Operators" showcased a range of specialized skills, including:
* Combat firing and firing drills
* Hostage rescue and assault explosives
* Obstacle crossing, wall climbing, slithering, and rappelling
* Military martial arts
**Strategic Significance**
The parade represents the culmination of a rigorous training schedule designed to prepare operatives for a rapidly changing security landscape. Referencing the role of IAF Special Forces in "Operation Sindoor," the Ministry noted that these new operators will significantly enhance the IAF’s capability to execute newly defined special missions.
**Document Information**
* **Posted Date:** 23 May 2026, 12:50 PM
* **Source:** PIB Delhi
* **Release ID:** 2264454
* **Visitor Counter:** 5803
* **Reference Codes:** IN/PC/RS
Key Entities Referenced
Garud force: The elite Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force whose newly trained operatives were inducted through the ceremonial parade.
Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar: The primary training institution and location responsible for the specialized training and passing out ceremony of the Garud commandos.
Operation Sindoor: A specific military operation cited as a context for the strategic employment and importance of the IAF Special Forces.
AVM Rahul Gupta: Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Space) who reviewed the parade and presented awards to the successful trainees.
Ministry of Defence
MAROON BERET CEREMONIAL PARADE AT
GARUD REGIMENTAL TRAINING CENTRE AIR
FORCE STATION CHANDINAGAR
Posted On: 23 MAY 2026 12:50PM by PIB Delhi
To mark the successful completion of training of Air Force Special Forces operatives of ‘Garud’
force, Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade was held on 23 May 2026 at Garud Regimental Training Centre
(GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar. AVM Rahul Gupta ACAS Ops (Space) reviewed the parade as
the Chief Guest of the event.
The Commandant of Garud Regimental Training Centre received the Chief Guest and briefed on
various training aspects. The Chief Guest congratulated the ‘Garuds’ on their successful passing out.
While addressing the young commandos, he emphasised on the significance of rigorous training and
honing Special Forces skills to keep pace with the fast changing security scenario. He presented Maroon
Beret, Garud Proficiency Badge and Special Forces Tabs to the successful ‘Garud’ trainees and gave away
trophies to the awardees.
During the passing out ceremony, the ‘Garuds’ demonstrated various skills such as combat firing,
hostage rescue, firing drill, assault explosives, obstacle crossing, wall climbing, slithering, rappelling and
military martial arts.
The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade is a moment of pride and achievement for the ‘Garuds’
marking the befitting culmination of an extremely demanding training schedule and their transformation
into ‘Young Special Forces Operators’ joining the elite ‘Garud’ force.
Considering the role of Special Forces of IAF in Operation Sindoor, the newly passed out Special
Force Operators will further strengthen the capability of IAF to undertake newly defined special missions.***
IN/PC/RS
(Release ID: 2264454) Visitor Counter : 5803
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