After 12th Career

How to Join IMA (Indian Military Academy)

There are many ways to be a part of the Indian Army Service. But, In order to clear the officer’s entry, A candidate will have to clear the several stages of selection which is considered the toughest phase. The Indian Military Academy plays an important role in the training of the cadets. Here in this article, We will get to know about How to join IMA. The IMA here stands for Indian Military Academy and there are several ways to reach there.

There are different types of vacancies available that one can go through to reach the Indian Military Academy. The IMA is known for the officer’s training only. Here we will get to know the complete details about the required eligibility criteria that one needs to have to apply for the officer’s vacancy and its complete selection process etc. Check the complete details below to get detailed information.

How to Join IMA (Indian Military Academy):

The Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (IMA) is the officer training military academy of the Indian Army. IMA was established in 1932. The Military Academy is found at the foothills of the chain within the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. An initiate on admission to the IMA is mentioned as a Gentleman Trainee (GC). Cadets endure training at the IMA for one year. However, trainee’s elite through the Combined Defence Services communicating of UPSC, who are graduates of a non-military faculty, endure training for one and years. There are three ways through that you’ll be a part of IMA.

How to Join IMA

NDA Entry:

Young and courageous boys who have passed their class 12th are eligible to appear for the NDA Entry. After you get elite in NDA and select Army as a preference, then you endure three years of training at NDA Khadakwasla and at the moment one year of training at IMA.

NDA Selection Process:

The Selection of the National Defence Academy is done in the following stages of selection. Each selection stage has been marked as mandatory to clear to be get listed into the All India Merit list that decides to join a candidate:

After the application form is submitted successfully, A candidate will get an admit card and will appear for the Written Examination which is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Once you clear the written examination, you will proceed for the SSB Interview and then Medical Test etc.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • In order to apply for the NDA Entry, A candidate must have passed class 12th with physics, chemistry and mathematics etc.
  • The age of the candidate must be at least 16.5 years old to apply for entry and it should not be more than 19 years old.
  • No relaxation has been offered to any candidate, the criteria to apply online is going to be the same for every candidate.

The NDA is considered the best way to join IMA. the NDA Entry allows you to pursue your dream right after passing class 12th. There are no other ways available to join IMA after the 12th. Now let’s see the details about the other entry.

CDS Entry to Join IMA:

Male graduates will be a part of IMA through CDS. You have got to see for CDS written communicating, pass SSB, be medically worked and are available within the final benefit. There are some selection stages that one has to clear to get selected:

CDS Selection Process:

The Selection of the Combined Defence Service is done in the following stages of selection. Each selection stage has been marked as mandatory to clear to be get listed into the All India Merit list that decides to join a candidate:

  • Written Examination
  • SSB Interview
  • Medical tests etc

After the application form is submitted successfully, A candidate will get an admit card and will appear for the Written Examination which is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Once you clear the written examination, you will proceed for the SSB Interview and then Medical Test etc.

CDS Eligibility Criteria:

  • To apply for the CDS Entry, A candidate must have done graduation in any stream from any government recognized college, institute or university.
  • The age of the candidate must be between 19 years old to 24 years old.
  • No relaxation has been offered to any candidate, the criteria to apply online is going to be the same for every candidate.

After the NDA Entry, the CDS entry is another finest option to join the service. Now let’s see the details about the TGC Entry which is basically a Technical entry but it is another good option after graduation to join IMA.

TGC Entry:

The TGC stands for Technical Graduate Course. Those who are finding out in their final year or have completed BE or B.Tech in notified streams may be a part of IMA through Technical Graduate Course. The period of training is one year. This is basically an Engineers entry. One can join the Technical Branch of the Indian Army Service through the TGC Entry. Here is the complete selection that one has to clear to join IMA through TGC.

TGC Entry Selection Process:

The TGC Entry is basically a special entry, where there is no written examination conducted. The selection is done on the basis of the performance in the SSB Interview. Here is the complete selection process that one has to clear:

  • Shortlisting of the candidates on the basis of the marks scored on the BE degree.
  • SSB Interview
  • Medical tests etc.

The SSB Interview plays a major role in the selection to join IMA. A candidate must have scored better in the BE degree to get shortlisted for the SSB Interview. Now let’s see the required criteria that one needs to have to apply for the vacancy.

TGC Entry Eligibility Criteria:

In order to apply for the TGC Entry, A candidate must have BE or Btech degree in the following related streams of the Indian Army.

  • Civil (including mining/ construction)
  • Electrical or Electrical & Electronics
  • Mechanical
  • Automobile/Workshop Technology
  • Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace/Ballistics/Avionics
  • Food Tech/BioTech/Bio-Medical Engg
  • Chemical Engg
  • Electronics & Telecom/Telecommunication/Electronics & Comm/Satellite Comm.
  • Metallurgy & Explosives/Metallurgical Engg
  • Industrial/Manufacturing Engg/Industrial Engg & Mgt/Production
  • Electronics/Opto Electronics/Fibre Optics/Micro Electronics & Microwave
  • Electronics & Instrumentation/Instrumentation
  • Architecture/ Building Constr Technology
  • Computer Sc & Engg/Computer Technology/Info Tech / M.Sc
  • Computer Sc etc

A candidate must have scored at least 70% marks to apply for the vacancy. The age candidate must be between 21 years old to 27 years old. No relaxation is offered to any candidate regarding the selection, criteria etc. It will be the same for every candidate.

These are the best ways to join IMA (Indian Military Academy) after the 12th or after graduation. In all the vacancies, the SSB Interview is common in all. One has to clear the SSB Interview at any cost to join the Indian Military Academy. Here is the complete procedure, tests and activities of the Indian Army.

SSB Interview Procedure to Join IMA:

The SSB Interview is a different interview than any regular or corporate interview. This interview is basically conducted to check the overall capacity of the candidates regards joining the Indian Army or joining IMA. Here are the days, stages, tests and activities of the SSB Interview.

Stages Tests
Stage 1 Screening Test
  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Tests
  • PPDT
Stage 2 Psychological Test
  • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  • Word Association Test (WAT)
  • Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
  • Self-Description Test (SD)
Group Testing Officer •                     GD

 

•                     GPE

•                     PGT

•                     HGT

•                     IOT

•                     Command Task

•                     Snake race/Group Obstacle Race

•                     Individual lecture FGT

Personal Interview
Conference

Medical and Physical Fitness Required:

  • The Candidate should Be In a smart Physical And psychological state And Free From Any Disease/Disability
  • There ought to Be No sickness Of Bones And Joints Of The Body
  • Chest ought to be Developed Having a Minimum of five Cms growth.
  • There ought to Be No Sign Of purposeful Or Organic sickness Of the guts And vas. force per unit area ought to Be traditional.
  • A urine examination is completed And Any Abnormality If Detected can Cause For Rejection.
  • Any sickness Of The Skin also will Cause For Rejection.

These are some mandatory physical and medical criteria to join IMA. Make sure to maintain a good physique, if you are planning your career in the Indian Army Forces.

History of Indian Military Academy:

Founded in 1932, the IMA has matured from its initial Course of forty GCs to a planned capability of 1200 GCs. The outstanding records of its alumni on battlefields around the world bear testimony to its fame as a cradle for future military leaders of the country. There are four training Battalions – Bhagat, Cariappa, Thimayya and Manekshaw commanded by Colonels and power-assisted by Majors and Captains who are the corporate and Platoon Commanders. The Battalions are union into four corporations that are divided into 3 platoons every.

Well, it is not easy to join IMA. But, if it’s your dream, gain proper information about the vacancy that you have to appear for and then prepare in a better manner to clear the selection stages to join IMA.

FAQs For How to Join IMA

Can I join the Indian Army after the 10th?

Yes, there is an option to join the Indian Army after the 10th as a Soldier, Clerk, technician etc. But to be an officer, One must have passed at least class 12th.

How to become an Engineer in the Indian Army?

There are several direct entries to join the Army as an Engineer like TES entry after the 12th, TGC Entry after graduation etc. One can also choose the technical branch of the Army through NDA and CDS Entry as well.

Can women become a pilot in Army?

Yes, there is no discrimination in the Indian Army regarding gender. Anybody who has the capability can grab any post or position in the Service.

About the author

Dasharath Maurya