Change is the only constant factor in the world. Any change that brings peace and prosperity is construed as progress. When the Indian Military Academy (IMA) came into existence in 1932 the requirement was to train officers to lead Indian troops who were part of the Royal British Army. Over the years, the requirement kept increasing and this great institution had to grow to its present status by updating its training curriculum.

Today, India is a nuclear power and one of the finest fighting machines in the world. Valiant leaders who have been trained at IMA are leading her Army. The contribution of this great Army in national defence, counter- insurgency, peace-keeping missions throughout the world and internal security unmistakably portrays the quality of leadership being imparted at this institution.

The concept of war during1930s was different from the one in the new millennium. Hence, the IMA has been incorporating changes in its training curriculum. The initial aim was to train in basic conventional British war tactics required by an infantry platoon commander. Through the ages, training in mountain, desert and jungle warfare and amphibious, mechanised and airborne operations was included in the curriculum to keep pace with the scientific and technological advancements. As much of the action seen by our Army hinges around proxy war, cross-border terrorism and counter-insurgency the Academy lays adequate emphasis on imparting skills required for these situations.

The initial entry qualification at IMA was only matriculation. Subsequently, there was a feeling that a graduate entry would not only add to a wider base for larger spectrum of professional study and reduce the training period but also create a cause for a comparative equation with the rest of Class-1 services. Thus, with the Khanna Committee recommendations taking effect, the graduation entry came into existence in 1974.

That was the last stage as far as formal educational qualification in an officer was to be ensured. Even though there are on-the-job opportunities for a few to become a postgraduate by qualifying in Staff College, it is not affecting the majority of the present officer cadre. On the other hand, the training curriculum in IMA, as on date, is all comprehensive and is comparable with any PG course run by any civil institution.

In the 70th year of its inception, IMA achieves another milestone. Due to the efforts of the present Commandant, Lt Gen TS Shergill, a proposal was made to confer a post-graduate degree in ‘Defence and Strategic Studies’. The case was projected to various universities and Central Government agencies. A meeting of Board of Studies from HNB Garhwal University for the award of Master’s degree in ‘Defence and Strategic Studies’ was held in September. The affiliation, in principle, has been awarded by HNB Garhwal University. The modalities are being formulated and necessary alterations in the curriculum are being worked out to meet the requirements of the university norms.