Pune: Southern Command’s Training Capsule Merges Military Precision with Civil Governance Skills
Aundh, 1st December 2025: The week-long Military-Civil Fusion Training Capsule 2025, jointly conducted by the Indian Army and the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), concluded successfully today at the Military–Civil Fusion Training Node in Aundh, Pune. Organised under the aegis of Southern Command, the programme aimed to deepen cooperation between the Armed Forces and civil administration while fostering institutional trust and mutual understanding.
A total of 144 Maharashtra Public Service Commission probationers, 108 men and 36 women, participated in the immersive training. The capsule offered future civil servants first-hand exposure to military operations, reflecting the increasing inclusivity of women in India’s governance and security ecosystem.
During the week, trainees engaged in a variety of activities, including visits to unit quarter guards, familiarisation with routine battalion operations, physical training, games, small arms firing, and drone demonstrations. They also visited the Southern Command War Memorial, paying homage to the legacy of military sacrifice and valour. Sessions on modernisation, emerging technologies under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and evolving operational concepts provided insights into the Army’s expanding role in contemporary security challenges.
Expert lectures enriched the programme further, Sachin Kalantre, IAS, Deputy Director General, YASHADA, and Mrunalini Sawant, Coordinator, YASHADA, conducted sessions on disaster management and inter-agency coordination, emphasising the importance of synergy in crisis response. Select probationers presented case studies and best practices on civil–military collaboration, promoting interactive learning.
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, lauded the initiative, stating that it strengthens Military–Civil Fusion towards nation-building. “The capsule reaffirms the Indian Army’s commitment to capacity building and collaborative leadership, ensuring that civil authorities and the Armed Forces remain prepared to meet emerging challenges through cohesive, coordinated action,” he said.
The successful completion of the 2025 capsule marks another milestone in Southern Command’s ongoing Military–Civil Fusion initiatives, with more such training programmes planned to further integrate governance, security, and operational preparedness.
