What's the difference between “Antim PAG" and “Pehla Kadam" ?

‘Antim Pag’ which translates to ‘Final Step’ are the words written on the exit of the parade ground where the passing out parade (POP) of various academies is held. i.e Officer's Training Academy Chennai (OTA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), National Defence Academy (NDA), Airforce Academy (AFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA). 

As the Parade comes to an end, each Cadet marches out of the Parade Ground, in slow march past, towards the Exit. The ‘Last Step’ is very sanctimonious as he/she transcends from a Cadet to an Officer. It is the ‘Step’, each Cadet has slogged and sweated for. The experience is inexplicable.

Antim pag ‘last step’- when a gentleman cadet & Lady Cadets ends up his/her training in their respective academies.

Pehla Kadam

Pehla kadam ‘first step’- It is a new initiative by our current Chief of Army Staff(COAS) and in the recent OTA passing out parade (POP) we saw it.

As COAS addressed by his speech, this “PEHLA KADAM" shows that the journey is not over, but it has started for the young officer and this first step will give him the confidence to deal with the forthcoming challenges.