Indian Military Academy
Veerta Aur Vivek (Valour and Wisdom)
- Location
- Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Service
- Indian Army ·
- Since
- 1932
The Indian Army's premier academy for Permanent Commission. Gentlemen Cadets pass out as Lieutenants at the historic Chetwode Building, whose credo — 'The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time' — defines the Indian officer.
Courses & Training Duration
| Course / Entry | Duration | Who trains here |
|---|---|---|
| NDA cadets (after 3 years at NDA) | 1 year | Cadets who complete NDA Khadakwasla |
| CDS (IMA) direct entry | 18 months | Graduates selected through UPSC CDS |
| TGC (Technical Graduate Course) | 1 year | Engineering graduates |
| ACC (Army Cadet College) | 1 year at IMA (after 3 yrs ACC Wing) | Serving soldiers |
- Passing Out Parade at the Chetwode Building drill square
- Commissioned as Lieutenant in the Indian Army
- Khetarpal Auditorium, Somnath Stadium and the historic Quarter Guard
Officers Training Academy, Chennai
Serve with Honour
- Location
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Service
- Indian Army · Short Service Commission
- Since
- 1963
OTA Chennai trains officers for the Short Service Commission — and is the only Army academy that trains both men and women officers. Cadets are addressed as Gentlemen/Lady Cadets and commission as Lieutenants after an intensive 49-week course.
Courses & Training Duration
| Course / Entry | Duration | Who trains here |
|---|---|---|
| CDS (OTA) — SSC Men | 49 weeks | Graduates via UPSC CDS |
| SSC Women (Non-Technical) |
Officers Training Academy, Gaya
Adyatan Ranaay (Ready for Battle Today)
- Location
- Gaya, Bihar
- Service
- Indian Army · Technical & SSC entries
- Since
- 2011
The newest Army academy, raised in 2011 to expand officer training capacity. OTA Gaya trains Technical Entry Scheme cadets and Short Service Commission officers, with modern training infrastructure and the same standards as its older sister academies.
Courses & Training Duration
| Course / Entry | Duration | Who trains here |
|---|---|---|
| 10+2 TES (Technical Entry Scheme) | 1 year basic (then 3 yrs at CME/MCTE/MCEME) | 10+2 PCM students shortlisted on JEE Mains |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
Vidyayaamrutamashnute (Immortality through Knowledge)
- Location
- Ezhimala, Kerala
- Service
- Indian Navy · Permanent & Short Service Commission
- Since
- 2009 (current campus)
Asia's largest naval academy, spread across 2,452 acres of Kerala coastline. INA trains cadets and officers for every branch of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, combining seamanship, academics and a full B.Tech degree for cadet entries.
Courses & Training Duration
| Course / Entry | Duration | Who trains here |
|---|---|---|
| 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry | 4 years (B.Tech) | 10+2 PCM with valid JEE Mains |
Air Force Academy, Dundigal
Touch the Sky with Glory
- Location
- Dundigal, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Service
- Indian Air Force · Permanent & Short Service Commission
- Since
- 1971
The Indian Air Force's flagship academy near Hyderabad, where Flight Cadets of every branch — Flying, Technical and Ground Duty — train together. The Combined Graduation Parade, with its iconic fly-past and 'pipping' ceremony, marks their commissioning.
Courses & Training Duration
| Course / Entry | Duration | Who trains here |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT / NDA / CDS-AFA / NCC) | 74 weeks | Selected via AFCAT, NDA, CDS or NCC Air Wing |
| Ground Duty (Technical) — AE(L) & AE(M) |
National Defence Academy
Seva Paramo Dharma
- Location
- Khadakwasla, Maharastra
- Service
- Tri-Service Training, permanant
- Since
- 1964
National Defence Academy (NDA) is India’s premier tri-service academy in Pune, established in 1954. It uniquely trains Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets together for three years before they proceed to respective service academies for specialized pre-commissioning training.
