What is the full form of IMA?

What is IMA?

The full form of IMA is the Indian Military Academy. IMA is established in Dehradun Uttarakhand, India. The IMA was established in 1932 with the aim of training and educating the candidates so that they could join the Indian army. A training program for one year was held for the cadets who were selected. After the completion of the training, the cadets were given different designations.

IMA is considered as one of the best institutes for the training and education of the Indian Armed Forces. Courses for foreign cadets are also available in the institute. The candidates should belong to the following countries −

• Bhutan

• Afghanistan

• Mongolia

• Sri Lanka

• Nigeria

• Tanzania

The institute has also received recognition from the world as one of the best institutes for training and educating students to join the armed forces.

IMA History

The Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener was the first person who proposed the establishment of a military academy in 1901 but his proposal was rejected. Field Marshall Sir Philip Chetwode was the Commander-in-Chief of India from 1920 to 1925. He reintroduced the proposal in 1922. The institute was founded in 1923 by the name of Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College and it worked as a feeder school for IMA.

On 10 December 1932, IMA was launched and Philip Chetwode sent the first batch of cadets in 1933 to the IMA. The design of IMA is based on the Royal Military Academy which is located in Sandhurst, United Kingdom.

The number of courses in IMA was increased during the world war II and the institute acted as a training center for the Indian army. In 1947, IMA became the training institution to train the officers of the Indian Army.

Objectives of IMA

IMA has been established with many objectives and they are mentioned below −

• It provides good career opportunities to the new cadets

• Develops knowledge, military leadership, and other skills in the cadets

• Courage, moral principles, and integrity are taught so that cadets can become good officers

• Intensive training increases their mental agility, physical fitness, and tenacity

• Cadets are taught the ways of collaboration and work under pressure

• Skills are developed so that the cadets can be courageous in every situation

Features of IMA

IMA has many features and we will let you know about them.

Campus

The campus of the IMA is surrounded by hills and is located on 1400 acres of land. Different types of training facilities are available here. You can find obstacle courses, mock battlefields, physical fitness areas, and many more things.

Training Program

The sleeted candidates have to go for a training program whose duration is one year. There are three terms of the training program and the duration of each term is four months. Leadership, military tactics, physical fitness, weapons training, along with other things are included in the training program.

Faculty

The officers who have good experience in the Indian Army are designated as faculties who are responsible for training and teaching the cadets.

Facilities

A lot of facilities are provided to the students on the campus. These facilities include a computer center, a library, a modern gymnasium, and many more. You can also find a military museum where the history of IMA is displayed. You can find various things in the museum like uniforms, weapons, old artillery, and many more things.

Functions of IMA

IMA performs many functions and we will discuss them here.

Basic Training

IMA provides basic military training which includes the following −

• Physical conditioning drill

• Weapons training tactics

• Leadership development

Weaponry and Other Training

Specialized training is also provided to the cadets which include warfare in the jungles and high altitude, combatting by using tanks and artillery, etc.

Moral Development

Another function of IMA is to develop character and moral and character principles in the cadets. Mental and physical toughness along with leadership abilities is also developed.

Indian Culture

IMA lets the students know about Indian culture and the ways to live in a society. History diversity of different regions and many more things are included in the course and training.

Professional Development

A wide variety of professional development opportunities are provided to the cadets in which they have to visit different defense establishments and take part in competitions and exercises.

Achievements of IMA

IMA has achieved many things since the time it has been established. Some of these achievements are discussed here.

Providing distinguished officers

IMA has helped the Indian armed forces to get distinguished officers who provided their services very well. Many of these officers also became leaders in the Indian army because of their leadership abilities.

Major wars and participation

Cadets who got trained in the IMA got the opportunity to fight in major wars which are listed below in a table −

War	Year
Indo-Pakistan War	1947
Sino-Indian War	1962
Indo Pakistan War	1965
Kargil War	1999

Producing strong leaders

IMA helps the cadets to become responsible leaders and do their duties perfectly. They have to make military strategy and also be encouraged morally and have self-control. Brotherhood, professionalism, and pride are developed in the cadets.

Building international relations

IMA has built relationships with military schools in other countries like Germany, the UK, and the USA. IMA offers exchange programs so that students from other countries can come here to study and Indian students can go to other countries for training.

How to join IMA?

If you have an ambition of joining IMA and becoming a part of the Indian armed forces, you have to take any of the following exams −

UPSC NDA Exam

If you have passed your 12^th, you will be eligible to sit in the UPSC NDA exam. After selection, you have to select the army as your preference and then go for training whose duration is three years. The training will be given at NDA Khadakwasla and a training of one year at IMA. The exam is conducted in June and December.

UPSC CDS Exam

Male graduates have the option of joining IMA through CDS. Students have to pass the CDS exam and then pass the SSB. They will also have to go for medical check-ups which will help them to get enlisted in the final merit list. The exam is held in March/April and September/October.

TGC

TGC can be expanded to a Technical Graduate Course. If you are in the final year of your graduation course, you can join IMA through TGC. The duration of training is one year. News about TGC can be found in the newspapers in May/June and November/December every year

University Entry Scheme

A University Entry Scheme has been made for those candidates who are in the pre-final year of engineering and want to join the Indian army. This option has now been canceled.

Army Education Corp TGC

If you want to go into the army after post-graduation, Army Education Corp TGC is for you. The notification is made by the Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May/June and November/December. Candidates need to pass their post-graduation in the first or second division.

Difference between OTA and IMA

OTA stands for Officers Training Academy and it has many differences from IMA which can be found in the table below −

OTA	IMA
Both ladies and gentlemen are trained here	Only gentlemen are trained here
OTA has its branches in Chennai and Gaya	IMA has a single branch in Dehradun
Cadets are trained for Short Service Commission	Cadets are trained for permanent commission
Age should be between 19 to 25 years	Age should be between 19 to 24 years
No need to take an exam of mathematics if you are joining OTA through CDSE	Mathematics exam is mandatory
Serve army for 14 years	Serve army for 30 years

Conclusion

IMA can be expanded to the Indian Military Academy. This is an institute in Dehradun where mala are trained to join the Indian army. Candidates who have passed their 12th need to go for an entrance exam like NDA. After passing this exam, they can join NDA Khadakwasla to get trained for three years. After that, they have to join IMA for further training. Cadets can get the position of officers after completing their training.

FAQs

1. What is the full form of IMA?

IMA Stands for Indian Military Academy. Another full form of IMA is the Indian Medical Association

2. What is the duration of training in IMA?

The duration of training in IMA is 1 year

3. Do I have to join any other institute after passing the NDA exam?

Yes! You have to join NDA Khadakwasla and get training for three years.

4. Can foreign candidates take admission in IMA?

Yes! Candidates from Bhutan, Afghanistan, Mongolia etc. join IMA

5. Can graduates also join IMA?

Yes! If graduating candidates are in their final year, then can opt to join IMA.