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History

Genesis

The founding of the Academy preceded the attainment of Independence from the British rule by 15 years. The crucial link between the founding of a military academy and the attainment of Independence was acutely realized by a section of Indian leadership in the days of struggle for Independence.Their concerted efforts resulted among other things, in the initiation of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms which enabled ten Indians to be sent to Sandhurst for training, setting up of the Skeen Committee in 1925, and later holding of Round Table Conference in London in 1930 which recommended the establishment of the Indian Sandhurst without any delay. As a follow up action, the Government of India set up a committee to work out the details of an Indian Sandhurst under the Chairmanship of Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, who was then the Commander-in-Chief of India. The committee submitted its report in July 1931 recommending an establishment for training forty entrants in each term over a training span of three years which was later reduced to two and a half years. The break-up of the entrants being 15 Direct Entries, 15 from the ranks through Kitchner College, Nowgaon and 10 from princely States.

Inauguration

The Academy became functional from 01 October 1932 with a course strength of 40 Gentlemen Cadets. Brigadier L P Collins, DSO, OBE was the first Commandant. The first course had on its rolls Sam Manekshaw, Smith Dun and Mohd Musa. All of them later became the Chiefs of the armies of their respective countries namely India, Burma and Pakistan. The course was christened as 'PIONEERS'. The government acquired the estate of the erstwhile Railway College at Dehradun, which had the appropriate buildings and a fairly extensive campus to meet the requirements of the Academy at its birth.Due to certain unavoidable reasons, formal inauguration of the Academy was postponed to 10 December 1932. Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, Baronet GCB, GCSS, CCMA, DSO, then Commander-in-Chief India, after whom the main building and its central hall are named, inaugurated the Academy on the day when the first term of the training was about to be over. A large number of guests were invited for the occasion, especially those, who had led the battle for establishment of the institution. The centre-piece among the formal events was the inaugural address by Sir Philip Chetwode, which was delivered in the hall named after him. His address was a pointed piece of stirring oration and has come to acquire a kind of immortality because a passage from his address has been adopted as the Credo of the Academy:-"The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, Always and every time." December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ...

1932 To Independence

The first few years of the Academy, till the outbreak of World War-II did not see any growth in terms of its strength. Those were the years when the infrastructure and training facilities were built up and the customs & traditions laid down and nursed. In 1934, even before the first course had passed out, his Excellency Lord Willingdon the Viceroy of India, presented the Colours to the Academy on behalf of His Majesty the King-Emperor, as not merely a mark of royal favour but also as acknowledgement of sacrifice and common endeavour. The parade was commanded by Under-Officer GC Smith Dun.The German challenge forced the Government to change its policy radically. There was an unprecedented increase in the number of entrants as well as change in their categories. The permanent Indian Commission and the duration of its training was shortened to six months and even less for some courses. Such were the exigencies of the new situation. Before these changes took place, 16 regular courses had passed out of the Academy. Between December 1934 and May 1941 only 524 Gentlemen Cadets were commissioned in the army against 3887 cadets between August 1941 and January 1946. Indian and British Cadets received their commission at the Academy.

The expansion brought about a change in the character and appearance of the Academy campus. In order to accommodate greater number of Gentlemen Cadets and officers, additional land was brought under use and a large number of temporary structures were built, which interestingly enough, continue to be used till date. Certain parts of the Academy, known as East Block and West Block date back to those years. The memories of the first two Commandants, Brig Collins and Kingsley, have been honoured by naming the two earliest residential blocks after their names respectively.

World War-II ended with the Japanese surrender on 14 August 1945. After that it took India exactly two years to become free. This momentous and fundamental change in the status of the country resulted in a corresponding change in the character and status of IMA. The Academy was faced with the stupendous responsibility of reorganizing itself for this new role. This entailed overcoming the abnormal fatigue of war years, removing the dislocations in its regular pattern of life on that account and prepare itself afresh for the new task, with very little in hand to do so. The preparation in fact had begun at least a year before independence. The first regular post war course commenced on 25 February 1946. Eventually the British officers departed, and Lt Col Thakur Mahadeo Singh, DSO, in the enhanced rank of Brigadier, assumed command of the Academy as its first Indian Commandant in free India.In May 1947 Academy had the privilege of receiving two stalwarts of the freedom movement namely Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. This historic visit imbued the officers and Cadets alike with patriotic fervour.At the time of Independence the properties of the Academy, were divided between India and Pakistan. The Gentlemen Cadets, who belonged to the regions that became part of Pakistan and those who opted to go to Pakistan, left the Academy on the night of 14 October 1947. As a matter of fact the first two generations of the officers of the Pakistan Army are products of the Indian Military Academy. August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... February 25 is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ...

1947 To Silver Jubilee (1957)

The year 1948 was a proud year in the history of the Academy. On 9 October the Academy received the first Indian Governor General H. E. C Rajgopalachari and on 9 December Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the first University Graduates Course. During the Second World War the importance of inter-dependence of the three services was realised. The Government of India, therefore, approved the creation of an Inter-Services Wing for training cadets for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force together. The training period, it was decided would be for two years after which cadets would go to the respective Service Institutions for further training and Commissioning. Thus, in January 1949 the Academy was redesignated as the Armed Forces Academy, with the military wing remaining in the present campus at Prem Nagar and the Inter Services Wing established at Clement Town. A new road was constructed to connect the two campuses which was named after the first Indian Commandant, General Mahadeo Singh. The post of the Commandant was upgraded from that of Brigadier to Major General. Brig Thakur Mahadeo Singh, DSO, was therefore promoted to Major General's rank. In consonance with national aspirations, the Indian Military Academy was redesignated as the National Defence Academy in January 1950. The Inter Services Wing became Joint Services Wing (JSW). The first JSW Course passed out in December 1950. In December 1954, the Joint Services Wing moved to Khadakvasla, to an entirely new campus, and along with it went its name, formation sign, as also the Commandant. The Indian Military Academy (then renamed as Military College) retrieved its original identity and role. Brigadier Apji Randhir Singh took over as its Commandant. October 9 is the 282nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (283rd in Leap years). ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jawaharlal Nehru (जवाहरलाल नेहरू) (November 14, 1889 - May 27, 1964), also called Pandit (Teacher) Nehru, was the leader of the (moderately) socialist wing of the Indian National Congress during and after Indias struggle for independence from the British Empire. ... Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. ... January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ...

At the end of 1956 the command of the Indian Military Academy passed from Sandhurst trained officers to IMA trained officers, when Brigadier M M Khanna, MVC, took over from Brigadier Apji Randhir Singh. On 10 December 1957, the Military College celebrated its Silver Jubilee which was attended by a large number of veterans. December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Silver Jubilee to Golden Jubilee

In January 1958, a contingent of the Military College took part in the Republic Day Parade at Delhi for the first time. In 1960 the Military College was renamed as Indian Military Academy. Exactly thirty years after the founding of the IMA, on 10 December 1962, the second President of the Republic of India, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, presented new colours to the Indian Military Academy, to replace the ones presented by the Earl of Willingdon. This was in recognition of the gallantry exhibited by the alumni of this institution during various operations. In 1963, the appointment of the Commandant was again upgraded to Major General and Major General S C Pandit, VrC, took over. This also happened to be the year of sudden expansion. Consequent to the Chinese aggression the duration of training for regular courses was cut short and emergency courses were introduced. New accommodation was built in the Rangharwala area and on the bank of River Tons. In August 1964 Emergency Courses were discontinued and regular courses re-introduced. The last emergency course passed out on 1 November 1964. Thereafter, the Academy has run an even course with periodic changes in its strength. In 1974, the qualifications for entry to IMA for Regular Courses was raised to University degree level and the duration of training was reduced from two years to one and a half years for Direct Entry GC's. In the following year parachute training was introduced during the summer break at Agra for volunteer Cadets. The four battalions of IMA were named Cariappa Bn, Thimayya Bn, Manekshaw Bn and Bhagat Bn respectively with two companies each. December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (September 5, 1888 - April 17, 1975) is best known as the man who introduced the thinking of western idealist philosophers into Indian thought. ... The title Marquess of Willingdon was created in 1936 in the Peerage of the United Kingdom for Freeman Freeman-Thomas, erstwhile Governor-General of Canada and Viceroy of India. ... Look up Emergency in Wiktionary, the free dictionary An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate threat to human life or serious damage to property. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ...

Presentation of colours by Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, President of India on 15 December 1976

The fifth President of India, Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, presented new colours to IMA as a mark of appreciation of its services to the nation both in peace and war. Placing them into the sash of Gentlemen Cadet Senior Under Officer D S Hooda, the president remarked: "I hope the Colours will inspire you to have strength and resilience for the purpose of welfare and safety of your country. I am sure that you will maintain these traditions and keep the flag flying." In 1977 Army Cadet College (ACC), the progeny of Kitchner College, Nowgaon, was shifted from Pune to the IMA, Dehradun where it has been functioning as a feeder wing. December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1976 calendar). ...

In 1980, the appointment of the Commandant was upgraded to the rank of Lieutenant General and Lt Gen M Thomas, AVSM, VSM took over as the first Commandant in this rank in December 1980. The appointment of Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor was also upgraded to the rank of Major General in July 1982 when Maj Gen Pannu was appointed in this rank. Later other upgradations included the appointments of Commander ACC Wing and the Head of the Academic Department as Brigadiers.

From 10 December 1932 to10 December 1982=

From Brigadier L P Collins, CB, DSO, OBE, ADC, to Lt Gen Mathew Thomas, AVSM, VSM, it was indeed a journey of 50 years of sweat and glory for the Indian Military Academy. Some of those who were reviewed as GCs by Sir Philip Chetwode, the then Commander-in-Chief in India, came for the Golden Jubilee celebrations to pay homage to their alma mater. Glowing with pride they witnessed the Golden Jubilee Parade of 500 Gentlemen Cadets reviewed by the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. 1982 was also the year when the IMA expedition to Mounts Kamet (25,447 ft) and Abi Gamin (24,130 ft), was successfully accomplished. The team was led by Brig Jagjit Singh, AVSM (Bar), VSM, ably supported by Capt Bhupinder Singh and Capt D B Thapa. December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

An important part of the celebration was the presentation of the pistol of Lt Gen AAK Niazi (Commander, erstwhile East Pakistan Forces-Dacca) by Lt Gen J S Arora, PVSM (Retd), the then GOC-in-C, Eastern Command. In an impressive ceremony on 9 December 1982 at 0930 hrs, the pistol was presented to the Commandant to be kept in the IMA Museum. Indeed India's glorious victory in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 was re-lived at the time of presentation. December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Diamond Jubilee (1992) and Thereafter====

His Excellency the President of India, Shri R Venkataraman reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the 90th Regular and 73rd Technical Graduates Courses of IMA in the Diamond Jubilee year. President of India, Shri R Venkataraman reviewed the Diamond Jubilee Passing Out Parade. In the years leading to Diamond Jubilee, the Academy trained a large number of personnel who served the army as also many friendly countries with distinction. Taking stock of these years reveals an emerging saga of valour, indefatigable courage and sacrifice. The scale of the Academy's operations can be gauged from the fact that over 50,000 cadets have received commissions. This is a figure much higher than that of older Academies like Duntroon, Australia. This figure should also give an idea of the geopolitical situation of India and the enormity of its defence needs. IMA has played a historical and central role in fulfilling the same. As a matter of fact the variations in the strength of the Gentlemen Cadets at the Academy is a reflection of India's threat perception. Historically speaking the Indian Military Academy is the archetypal military institute in the whole of the Indian subcontinent, being the first training institute of its kind in this region.