NDA Cadet Aditya Yadav Drowns During Swimming Practice in Pune

Pune, October 24, 2025: A tragic incident at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, has once again brought cadet training safety into question. Eighteen-year-old cadet Aditya Dhanraj Yadav from Bihar drowned during a supervised swimming session on Thursday evening, marking the second cadet death at NDA within 15 days.

According to a statement by the Defence PRO, the incident took place around 5 pm during an organised swimming session for weak swimmers. Cadet Yadav, who belonged to Bravo Squadron of the 154th course and joined the academy in July this year, was found motionless in the pool. Lifeguards immediately pulled him out and administered CPR along with medical aid before rushing him to the Military Hospital in Khadakwasla. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived.

Defence PRO Ankush Chavan confirmed that the civil police and Yadav’s family have been informed. “A formal inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the accident,” he said.

Maharashtra | Defence PRO Pune Ankush Chavan says, "Today at around 1700, an incident occurred during the swimming practice for weak swimmers under the supervision of instructors. The trainees were swimming along the width of the pool, and Cadet Aditya D Yadav (18 years) was…

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

Cadet Yadav hailed from Katra Par in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination. The NDA has extended condolences to his family and assured full cooperation with the ongoing inquiry.

This is the second fatality at the NDA in just over two weeks. Earlier this month, another first-term cadet, 18-year-old Antriksh Kumar Singh from Lucknow, was found dead in his hostel room in a suspected suicide case.

The back-to-back tragedies have sparked discussions about safety protocols and supervision during training sessions at one of India’s most prestigious defence academies.