Hyderabad: The College of Defense Management (CDM), Secunderabad, will be awarded the prestigious President’s Colors, the highest honor for an armed forces institution, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to military leadership and top defense management.
The award highlights CDM’s legacy of excellence in shaping strategic thinkers and its pivotal role in India’s defense preparedness.
Established in 1970, CDM was envisioned to train senior military officers not only in operational excellence but also in advanced managerial and strategic planning skills. Over the years, it has emerged as a premier institution for professional military education, blending military theory with contemporary topics such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, defense economics, and data-driven decision making.
Its flagship Higher Defense Management Course (HDMC) and Senior Defense Management Course (SDMC) equip officers to address the complexities of modern warfare and national security.
The college also offers a Master of Management Studies (MMS) degree in collaboration with Osmania University, providing a strong academic foundation that integrates management principles with military operations.
Its research initiatives are equally notable, with 30 PhDs, 99 MPhils, and a repertoire of over 4,000 dissertations and case studies supporting defense policy and strategic solutions.
Distinguished alumni of CDM include Admiral Sunil Lamba, 23rd Chief of Navy and General Dalvir Singh Suhag, 25th Chief of Army Staff. Among its former commandants and alumni are Lt Gen Sandeep Singh (retd), Major General NP Gadkari (retd), Air Marshal Dr Rajeev Sachdeva, Rear Admiral DS Chauhan (retd), Major General Sandeep Sharma, (retd), Air Vice Marshal Pawan Mohe (retd), and Rear Admiral Sanjay Dutt (retd).
The college’s state-of-the-art curriculum and partnerships with institutions like IIT Hyderabad have ensured that its officers are well prepared to address emerging global security challenges. Initiatives such as the Military Analytics Club and the China and Other Nation States Study Forum (CORNSS) highlight their focus on data-driven decision-making and strategic studies.