Addressing media persons, Randhawa said the Chiefs of Staff Committee had recently suggested that the NDA bring in B.Tech degree for Naval cadets, as the force and its operations were going through a modernisation process.

"The plan is on and we have approached the IDS. We have also requested additional infrastructure, more faculty, classrooms and laboratories," Randhawa said.

Deliberations were going on regarding 'toning down the syllabus' of the B.Tech programme and also making appropriate alterations in the B.Sc course so that the content would be similar, he said.

According to the proposal, all Naval cadets will put in the first two years of the B.Tech programme at the Naval training institute within the NDA, after which they would proceed to the Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala, to complete the remaining two years of the course. Currently, naval cadets spend three years at the NDA.

"The Academy should able to launch the programme in 2010," Randhawa said.

Defence Minister A K Antony will review the passing out parade of the 114 Course, scheduled for May 31, he said, adding that 302 cadets will pass out. "The NDA is looking to groom officers with leadership qualities, to produce leaders with integrity. All cadets will be given leadership opportunities in due time," he said.