Our Bureau
New Delhi
SSNT-1 Course of the Indian Army Celebrates Diamond Jubilee: A Timeless Beacon of Courage, Camaraderie and Unbreakable Spirit in New Delhi, on 24 April 2026.
Sixty years ago, on 24 April 1966, a band of young officers marched out of the Officers Training School, Madras, as the pioneering SSNT-1 Course of the Indian Army. Today, these legends—now in their eighties—are reuniting with the same fire, the same pride, and the same unbreakable bond that once defined them.
From the United States, Canada, and every corner of India, they arrive at the Manekshaw Centre, the National War Memorial, and the Akash Air Force Mess on 24 and 25 April 2026, accompanied by their devoted spouses, to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee.
This is no ordinary reunion. Many walk with difficulty, many carry hearts scarred by service and time, yet their eyes shine with the same indomitable “josh” that carried them through battlefields and boardrooms alike. They are the trailblazers—the very first trial course after the Emergency Commissions. Their success proved the Short Service Commission concept, lighting the path for every officer who followed. Today, the 121 and SS(W) 35 Courses proudly marches on from OTA Chennai, standing on the shoulders of these giants. We did not have women entry in those days.
Their lives have been the ultimate test of character—a thrilling roller-coaster of duty, sacrifice and resilience. After five years of stellar service including 1971 War, only 40% earned Permanent Commission. Undaunted, 32 cleared the Civil Services Examination, others joined the Paramilitary Forces, and the rest forged their own destinies with quiet courage and dignity. No setback could break their spirit. Post-retirement, the invisible threads of brotherhood pulled them back together.
Today, a vibrant WhatsApp family of over 110 coursemates keeps the flame alive—monthly station-wise gatherings, weekly Thursday Zoom calls, and unforgettable journeys across Mussoorie, Nainital, Kasauli, the Mediterranean cruise, and Europe.
The Golden Jubilee was celebrated with joy in Chennai in 2016. The Diamond Jubilee unfolds in three magnificent phases: a sun-kissed Goa-Lakshadweep-Mumbai cruise by 25 members, during 18-21 Mar, the grand Delhi reunion this weekend, and a heartfelt homecoming at their Alma Mater in September 2026.
At the heart of the Delhi celebrations, the coursemates will bow their heads in gratitude at the National War Memorial, honouring the 155 brothers-in-arms who have answered the final roll call. A specially crafted Coffee Table Book, capturing six decades of valour, laughter and legacy, will be released by General N.C. Vij, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, the 21st Chief of the Army Staff. Old eyes will meet after sixty years, hands will clasp once more, and stories of shared glory will echo through the halls.
For some, this may be their last grand assembly. Yet the excitement is electric, the camaraderie deeper than ever, and the pride fiercer than on the day they were commissioned.
To the young officers of tomorrow, the SSNT-1 Course sends a powerful message: True leadership is not about the years you serve, but the spirit you carry forever. It is about bonds that outlast time, resilience that laughs at adversity, and a love for the nation that never fades.
You are the future. Draw strength from this legacy. March with the same fire.
Jai Hind! Long live the SSNT-1 Course. Long live the Indian Army.
