Former IAF Chief BS Dhanoa Returns to RIMC Dehradun, Shares Leadership Lessons With Cadets

Former Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa (Retd) went back to his old school, the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun, on November 5, 2026. He spent time with the cadets and spoke to them about leadership, drawing on his long career as a fighter pilot and as head of the Air Force.

For the cadets, it was a chance to hear from someone who once sat in the same classrooms and went on to lead one of India’s three armed services.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• Who: Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM

• Where: Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun

• When: November 5, 2026

• Connection: RIMC is his alma mater

• Focus of the talk: Leadership, military values and national service

What BS Dhanoa Told RIMC Cadets

In his address, the former IAF chief spoke about the qualities that matter most in uniform. He named professionalism, courage and humility, and asked cadets to stay committed to military values throughout their careers.

He told them to build the confidence to take calculated risks and make informed decisions. Integrity, he said, has to sit at the centre of every choice an officer makes.

He also spoke about disciplined leadership, sound judgement and a strong military ethos. He urged the cadets to aim for excellence in their training and stay dedicated to serving the nation.

Who Is Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa?

Dhanoa served as the 25th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force from December 31, 2016, to September 30, 2019. He is a highly decorated fighter pilot.

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, he commanded a MiG-21 fighter squadron and flew combat missions himself. The Balakot airstrike of February 2019 also took place while he was heading the IAF.

About RIMC Dehradun

The Rashtriya Indian Military College was founded in 1922 and is one of the oldest military schools in India. It prepares boys and girls from Class 8 onwards for a career in the armed forces, and a large share of its cadets go on to join the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Over the past century, RIMC has produced several service chiefs and many senior officers, which is why a visit like this carries real weight for its cadets.

Why This Matters for Defence Aspirants

If you are preparing for the RIMC entrance exam or for NDA, this visit is a good reminder of what the selection process actually looks for. The qualities Dhanoa spoke about, such as sound judgement, integrity and the courage to take decisions, are close to the Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) that assessors look for at the SSB interview.