Defence awareness

Training academies

NDA, IMA, OTA, Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and more.

Photo: Sudan Block, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla
Sudan Block, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. Photo: Sourabh.scd, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Officers of the armed forces are trained at special academies. Which one a cadet goes to depends on the entry and the service.

Confirm details of each academy on its official website.

  • National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, PuneThe joint training academy of the Army, Navy and Air Force for cadets who join after Class 12 through the UPSC NDA exam.
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA), DehradunTrains Army officers. It was founded in 1932.
  • Officers Training Academy (OTA), ChennaiTrains Army officers who join on Short Service Commission. A second academy is at Gaya.
  • Air Force Academy, Dundigal, HyderabadTrains Air Force officers, mainly the flying branch.
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, KeralaTrains Navy officers. It began in 2009.
  • Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), DehradunA school that prepares boys and girls for NDA. Entry is by an exam. See the RIMC page of this website.
  • Sainik Schools and Rashtriya Military SchoolsSchools that prepare students for the armed forces from Class 6 and 9 onwards. See the pages for the Sainik School and RMS exams.
  • Defence Services Staff College, WellingtonMid-career training for officers of all services.

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