‘Unique Constitutional Design Fuels Armed Forces Specialisation’, Says Ex-CJI Dr Chandrachud in NDA Khadakwasla

Dr DY Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India, addressed NDA cadets on the Armed Forces’ constitutional role, praising their professionalism and India’s responsible power use while analyzing modern warfare challenges like AI and cyber threats.

Khadakwasla (Pune): Ex CJI Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud addressed the cadets at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, on 23 July 2025 on “The Role and Position of the Armed Forces under the Indian Constitution.” Apart from Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, senior delegates from the Indian Army also attended the event.

The address analyzed the transformation in the position of the Armed Forces from the colonial regime prior to Independence into professional, disciplined, and highly trained Army, Navy, and Air Forces in modern India. The address dealt with the changing nature of modern warfare involving new technology, including artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and drones.

Ex CJI Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud lauded the tradition of the responsible use of power that India adopted and highlighted the global recognition received by the personnel belonging to our armed forces in international peacekeeping missions.

He also paid tribute to those who shaped our Armed Forces into the preeminent position that they occupy. He further stated that the Armed Forces have effectively defended India against external challenges, including in high-altitude hostile terrains, long borders with neighboring nations covering a diversity of geographical terrain, and a long coastline.

Our armed forces have ensured that the channels of international waters are kept safe for commercial sea-going trade and commerce. Our armed forces have also stood by our nation in times of crises, including natural calamities.

India’s unique constitutional structure has given rise to professionalized and specialized contingents of the armed forces while retaining civilian control through the democratically elected government of the day. Underlying this is the success of our constitutional structure in meeting challenges posed to the nation.

History of Khadakwasla

The National Defence Academy (NDA) serves as the unified training institute for the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo joint training before proceeding to their individual service academies for further pre-commission instruction. Situated in Khadakwasla near Pune, Maharashtra, NDA holds the distinction of being the world's first tri-service military academy.

Following the end of World War II, Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army at the time, took the lead in forming a committee to study military training methods globally. Based on the Indian Army's wartime experience, the committee proposed the creation of a Joint Services Military Academy. Their recommendations, submitted to the Indian government in December 1946, were inspired by the training model of the United States Military Academy at West Point.