Defence Minister A K Antony was discharged from the Southern Command hospital, where he was kept under observation for a few hours after he fainted during the passing-out parade at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, on Saturday morning.

The minister left for Delhi in the afternoon soon after he was relieved from the hospital, officials said.

Antony had fainted while reviewing the 114th passing-out parade of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla near here this morning, suffering from "dehydration and exertion".

The Defence minister, according to NDA officials and doctors attending on him, underwent a thorough medical check-up and was advised rest.

He was brought to the Command Hospital in Pune by a helicopter where he was kept under observation before being discharged, a Defence spokesman said.

"He is stable and there is no cause for any apprehension," he added.

The incident happened a short while before conclusion of the passing out ceremony at the NDA premises where Antony reviewed the parade in an open jeep and stood on the dais taking salute of the cadets in a hot weather.