TEZPUR, ASSAM — The Defence Correspondents Course concluded at Tezpur with a valedictory ceremony after the successful completion of its Navy, Air Force and Army legs. A total of 24 journalists participated in the tri-Service programme, which was designed to familiarise media professionals with the roles, capabilities and operational environments of India’s three Armed Services.
Valedictory Ceremony at Tezpur
The ceremony was chaired by Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Gajraj Corps, Indian Army. Shri Vijay Kumar, Additional Director General (Media & Communication), Ministry of Defence, also attended the event, along with officials of the Directorate of Public Relations.
The valedictory ceremony marked the completion of the programme’s three Service-specific phases. Through briefings, field visits and interactions with serving personnel, the participating journalists gained a broader understanding of the work and operational responsibilities of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
What Is the Defence Correspondents Course?
The Defence Correspondents Course (DCC) is a specialised familiarisation programme for journalists who report on defence, military affairs and national security. Its purpose is to help media professionals develop a more informed understanding of the Armed Forces, their capabilities and the environments in which they operate.
Defence reporting often covers complex subjects such as military preparedness, operational activities, equipment, maritime security, air power and developments affecting national security. A sound understanding of military structures and responsibilities helps journalists explain these issues accurately and in their proper context.
Aim and Key Objectives of the Course
Understanding the three Services: To familiarise journalists with the distinct roles, capabilities and responsibilities of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
Practical exposure: To provide opportunities to learn through briefings, field visits and direct interactions with Service personnel.
Improving the quality of defence reporting: To support accurate, balanced and context-rich reporting on military and national security matters.
Strengthening civil-military understanding: To encourage informed engagement between the media and the Armed Forces, helping the public better understand defence-related developments.
Promoting responsible reporting: To underline the importance of respecting operational sensitivities and national security requirements while reporting on defence matters.
Three Service Legs: Navy, Air Force and Army
The programme included dedicated legs covering the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Army. Each Service has its own operational responsibilities and working environment, and exposure to all three helps journalists avoid treating the Armed Forces as a single, uniform organisation.
Indian Navy: The naval perspective helps journalists understand maritime security, naval operations and India’s interests at sea.
Indian Air Force: The air-power perspective introduces the importance of aerial operations, air defence and air capabilities in national security.
Indian Army: The Army perspective helps explain land-based operations, field conditions and the responsibilities of troops in their operational environments.
The official announcement confirms completion of the three Service legs. Detailed daily schedules, the full list of locations visited and individual activities were not specified in the information used for this article.
Who Attended the Valedictory Ceremony?
Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla — General Officer Commanding (GOC), Gajraj Corps, Indian Army; chaired the valedictory ceremony.
Shri Vijay Kumar — Additional Director General (Media & Communication), Ministry of Defence; attended the ceremony.
Directorate of Public Relations officials — Officials from the Directorate of Public Relations were also present.
Why Responsible Defence Journalism Matters
Defence news plays an important role in informing citizens about the Armed Forces and national security. At the same time, military reporting requires particular care because unverified claims or the disclosure of sensitive operational details can create risks.
Responsible defence reporting should follow a few essential principles:
Verify information: Check claims against credible sources and official statements before publication.
Respect operational security: Avoid publishing sensitive details that could compromise personnel safety or ongoing operations.
Provide context: Explain defence developments clearly and accurately instead of relying on speculation or sensationalism.
Counter rumours: Do not circulate old footage, unverified social-media posts or unsupported claims as confirmed news.
Inform the public responsibly: Balance the public interest in reliable information with legitimate national security considerations.
Relevance for Serving Personnel and Ex-Servicemen
For serving personnel, veterans and the wider defence community, the course highlights the value of accurate communication about military affairs. In the digital-media era, defence-related information can spread rapidly, and incomplete or misleading posts can cause confusion. Readers should verify important claims through official sources before sharing them.
For ESM Info Club readers, the key takeaway is simple: informed defence journalism can improve public understanding of the Armed Forces, while accuracy, context and operational sensitivity must remain central to every report.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where did the Defence Correspondents Course conclude?
The course concluded at Tezpur, Assam, with a valedictory ceremony.
How many journalists participated?
A total of 24 journalists took part in the tri-Service programme.
Which Services were covered?
The programme completed its Navy, Air Force and Army legs.
Who chaired the valedictory ceremony?
Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla, GOC, Gajraj Corps, chaired the ceremony.
What was the main aim of the course?
To familiarise journalists with the roles, capabilities and operational environments of the three Services and promote accurate, responsible defence reporting.
Why is operational sensitivity important in defence reporting?
Because publishing sensitive or unverified information can affect personnel safety, ongoing operations and national security.
About This Report
This article is based on the supplied summary of the Defence Correspondents Course and the reported details of its valedictory ceremony. Readers should consult the Ministry of Defence or Press Information Bureau release for the official announcement and any further details.