Officers Training Academy

2021-08-26T05:33:53Z

2405:201:5C10:20AB:CCE2:95EC:8052:6737:

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox university
|name = Officers Training Academy
|image_name = Tank at Army camp, pallavaram, chennai.jpeg
|caption = Centurion tank at OTA Chennai
|motto = ''Serve with Honour'' (OTA Chennai)<br /> ''Shaurya, Gyan, Sankalp (Valour, Wisdom and Resolve)'' (OTA Gaya)
|mottoeng =
|established = {{start date|df=yes|1963|01|15}} (OTA Chennai)<br /> {{start date|df=yes|2011|11|14}} (OTA Gaya)
|type = [[Military academies in India|Military academy]]
|Carnegie Class =
|head_label = Commandant
|head =
|deputy head =
|city = [[Chennai]]<br />[[Gaya, India|Gaya]]
|state =
|country = [[India]]
|undergrad =
|postgrad =
|staff =
|affiliations = [[Madras University]]
|campus = {{convert|750|acre|km2}} (OTA Chennai) <br /> {{convert|800|acre|km2}} (OTA Gaya)
|mascot =
|free_label =
|free =
|colors =
|website =
|logo = Officers Training Academy Logo.jpg
|}}
The '''Officers Training Academy''' ('''OTA''') is a training establishments of the [[Indian Army]] that train officers for the Short Service Commission (SSC). The 49-week course at the OTA prepares graduates for all branches of the Army, except for the Army Medical Corps.<ref name="mod-training">{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.nic.in/rec%26training/|title=Recruitment and Training|publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India|access-date=26 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120204200/http://www.mod.nic.in/rec%26training/|archive-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> Established in 1963, the first academy is located in [[Alandur]], a southern neighbourhood of [[Chennai]]. A new academy was set up at [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] in 2011;<ref name="yn6j">{{cite news|title=Gaya Officers Training Academy poised to conduct maiden passing out parade|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/gaya-officers-training-academy-poised-conduct-maiden-passing-071715440.html|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="toi10f">{{cite news|title=Gaya to get Army's second Officers Training Academy|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-18/india/28144782_1_ssc-officers-navy-and-iaf-officers-training-academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916151403/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-18/india/28144782_1_ssc-officers-navy-and-iaf-officers-training-academy|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 September 2011|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 February 2010}}</ref> but was given the go-ahead in December 2019 to be disbanded.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-few-takers-for-army-officers-training-academy-at-gaya-to-be-shut-down/articleshow/72461840.cms|title=With few takers for Army, Officers' Training Academy at Gaya to be shut down|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=10 December 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref>

==History==

===OTA Chennai===
[[File:Officers Training Academy 2013 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|2013 stamp dedicated to the Officers Training Academy at Chennai]]
Seven Officers Training Schools were established in [[India]] between 1942–45 to meet the huge demand for officers to serve in the Indian and Commonwealth Armies during [[World War II]]. However, these schools were closed down at the end of the war.

In 1962, following the [[Sino-Indian War]], India identified the need to expand the number of officers for effective operations. Two Officers Training Schools (OTS) were established in [[Pune]] and [[Madras]] (now known as Chennai) to train officers for Emergency Commission into the Army. The process of establishing the schools was begun in September 1962. The Chennai school was inaugurated on 15 January 1963, for nation by and with Brigadier Ram Singh as its first Commandant.<ref name="estd">{{cite news|title=Pranab Mukherjee to review passing-out parade at Chennai OTA|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pranab-mukherjee-to-review-passingout-parade-at-chennai-ota/article9040488.ece|access-date=28 August 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 August 2016|location=[[Chennai]]|language=en-IN}}</ref> The Pune school had a short run and was closed in 1964. However, the school in Chennai continued to operate and on 2 February 1965, it obtained the sanction to shift focus to train officers for the Short Service Regular Commission. OTA Chennai is spread over {{convert|750|acre|km2}}.

The Short Service Regular Commission has evolved into the Short Service Commission, and the OTS has continued to train officers for these commissions. The school was granted permanent status in 1985. On 1 January 1988, the school was renamed as the Officers Training Academy (OTA), on a par with the NDA and IMA.

The first batch of 25 women to be commissioned as officers into the Army were trained at the OTA, with training commencing on 21 September 1992.<ref name=samachar-grooming>{{cite web|url=http://mod.nic.in/Samachar/15may/html/aycom.htm|title=OTA: Grooming Leaders|publisher=Sainik Samachar, Ministry of Defence|date=15 May 2001|access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref>

Cadets are organised in 2 Battalions namely Ranjith Singh Battalion and Shivaji Battalion. RS Bn consists of four companies, namely, Kohima, Jessami, Basantar and Phillora (lady cadet company). Shivaji Bn consists of three companies, namely, Meiktila, Naushera and Zojila (lady cadet company).

===OTA Gaya===
OTA Gaya, set up in 2011, is located amid an estate of approximately 870 acres in a hilly terrain of Paharpur at [[Gaya, India|Gaya]]. The academy is located en route from Gaya to [[Bodhgaya]], approx 7 km from Gaya railway station. The international airport of Gaya is adjacent to the academy. In its vicinity is Bodhgaya, an international tourism destination. Gaya Cantonment dates back to World War II, as one of the headquarters of the British Army.

To mark the commencement of the academy, a flag hoisting ceremony was solemnised and the consecration of the raising of the academy was carried out in true secular tradition of the Indian Army, with recital of scriptures from holy books of different religions.

The academy has been equipped with state of the art training facilities, at par with other pre-commissioning training institutions.

The insignia of Officers Training Academy, Gaya has a two-colour background, with upper half as grey and the lower half blood-red, having two cross swords superimposed with the Dharmchakra. A scroll below bears the motto of the academy – 'Shaurya, Gyan, Sankalp' in devnagri.

The first batch of 149 trainee-officers underwent training in the academy during the period July 2011 to Jun 2012 and the first passing out parade was conducted on 8 June 2012. The second batch after successful completion of their training (January 2012 – December 2012) passed out on 8 December 2012. A total of 176 cadets from TES 26 and SCO 29 courses passed out on 8 December 2012. The academy had capacity to train 350 cadets. Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, VSM (double bar) is the current commandant of the academy, having taken charge in 2018.<ref name=yn6j /><ref name=toi10f />

In December 2019 the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Defence Ministry]] gave the go-ahead to shut OTA Gaya due to lack of intake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-proposal-to-disband-officers-training-academy-in-gaya-gets-defence-ministry-nod/332864/|title=Army proposal to disband Officers Training Academy in Gaya gets defence ministry nod|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2019-12-10|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

== Notable alumni ==
The academy has produced many war heroes and distinguished officers. Many have gone on to work for corporations after leaving the [[Indian Army]]. The OTA Alumni Association<ref>[http://otaalumniassociation.com/about_us.html OTA Alumni Association]</ref> was registered under the Societies Act 1860 at [[Chandigarh]] with all India jurisdiction.

=== Param Vir Chakra ===
*Maj. [[Ramaswamy Parameshwaran]] – 8th battalion, [[Mahar Regiment]], [[wikt:Special:Search/posthumous|Posthumous]]

=== Ashoka Chakra ===
*Maj. [[D. Sreeram Kumar]] – on deputation to 39th battalion, [[Assam Rifles]]
*Lt. [[Navdeep Singh (Ashok Chakra)|Navdeep Singh]] (posthumous) – 15th battalion, [[Maratha Light Infantry]]
*Capt. Jas Ram Singh – 6th battalion, [[Rajput Regiment]]
*Capt. Jasbir Singh Raina – 10th battalion, [[Brigade of the Guards]]
*2Lt. Cyrus A. Pithawalla – 17th battalion, [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]]
*Lt. Col. [[Harsh Uday Singh Gaur]] – 10th battalion, [[Bihar Regiment]]
* Maj. [[Mukund Varadarajan]] (posthumous) – 44th battalion, [[Rashtriya Rifles]]
*Col. [[Jojan Thomas]] (posthumous) – 45th battalion, Rashtriya Rifles<ref>{{cite news|title=A determined officer's ultimate sacrifice in the service of nation|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/a-determined-officers-ultimate-sacrifice-in-the-service-of-nation/article1322745.ece|access-date=1 October 2014|work=The Hindu}}</ref>

=== Mahavir Chakra ===
*Brigadier [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]] – 23rd battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]
* 2Lt. S. S. Samra (posthumous) – Brigade of The Guards
* Maj. P.S. Ganapathi – 8th battalion, Mahar Regiment
* Maj. Krishna Gopal Chatterjee – 3rd battalion, [[4 Gorkha Rifles]]
* 2Lt. Rajeev Sandhu – 7th battalion, [[Assam Regiment]]
* Maj. [[Padmapani Acharya]] (posthumous) – 2nd battalion, [[Rajputana Rifles]]
* Col. [[Sonam Wangchuk]] – [[Ladakh Scouts]]
* Lt. Balwan Singh – 18th battalion, [[The Grenadiers]]
* Lt. [[Keishing Clifford Nongrum]] (posthumous) – 12th battalion, [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]]
* Capt. Pratap Singh (posthumous) – 75 Medium Regiment

=== Vir Chakra ===
*Capt. [[Jintu Gogoi]] (posthumous) – 17 Garhwal Rifles
*Capt. [[Jerry Premraj]] (posthumous) – 158 Medium Regiment

===Others===
*Capt. [[Tania Shergill]] became the first Indian woman Parade Adjutant to lead an all-men contingent at an Army Day function in Indian Army.
*Brig. [[Saurabh Singh Shekhawat]] KC, SC, SM, VSM – 21 PARA SF battalion, [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]

== List of Commandants ==
The '''Commandant of the Officers Training Academy''' is the overall in-charge of all the functioning of the Officers Training Academy, [[Chennai]]. The Commandant of the College is a [[three-star rank]] officer ([[Lieutenant General]]) from the [[Indian Army]]. He is supported by the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor (DCCI), held by a [[Major General]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=lLl+MDrX1eKPrxam3swMXg==&ParentID=1kIsurf/Xcf9LM8Io//dBA==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army|website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>

===OTA Chennai===
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" |S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" |Name
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" |References
|-
|-
|1
|[[Brigadier]]
|Ram Singh
|January 1963
|October 1965
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithoutText.aspx?MnId=o5IlhkcQa1D32uQHGRjAkA==&ParentID=BRSca/9IIsZB+TVeouXZ6g==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army|website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|2
|[[Brigadier]]
|Pritpal Singh
|November 1965
|October 1967
|
|-
|3
|[[Brigadier]]
|A M M Nambiar
|January 1966
|December 1966
|
|-
|4
|[[Major General]]
|I C Katoch, [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]]
|March 1970
|September 1972
|
|-
|5
|[[Brigadier]]
|R H Bagina, [[Vir Chakra|VrC]]
|September 1972
|January 1974
|
|-
|6
|[[Brigadier]]
|C M Cariappa, [[Ati Vishist Seva Medal|AVSM]]
|January 1974
|December 1975
|
|-
|7
|[[Brigadier]]
|S M Suri, [[AVSM]]
|January 1976
|April 1978
|
|-
|8
|[[Brigadier]]
|E A Thyagarajan, [[AVSM]]
|April 1978
|August 1982
|
|-
|9
|[[Major General]]
|T S Verma, [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]]
|September 1982
|January 1985
|
|-
|10
|[[Major General]]
|N S Nair, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|February 1985
|April 1986
|
|-
|11
|[[Major General]]
|N Viswanathan
|July 1986
|December 1987
|
|-
|12
|[[Major General]]
|N K Oberoi
|April 1990
|November 1992
|
|-
|13
|[[Major General]]
|V Rajaram
|December 1992
|February 1995
|
|-
|14
|[[Major General]]
|K C Dhingra, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|March 1995
|June 1997
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsakirkee.org/QNL-Jan_%20Mar07.pdf|title=T H E B O M B A Y S A P P E R S Quarterly News Letter}}</ref>
|-
|15
|[[Major General]]
|V Jayashankar
|July 1997
|July 1999
|
|-
|16
|[[Major General]]
|G H Israni, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|July 1999
|July 2000
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=r0Ld9+uXbLFzSzl+UjT+ZA==&ParentID=xOH8EQqnxXeuwAF7Px0arw==|title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army|website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|17
|[[Major General]]
|Sudhir Mohan
|August 2000
|February 2003
|
|-
|18
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|S D Awasthi
|March 2003
|September 2004
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=z3yMqk5z2m2/EFE9n0621g==&ParentID=jBWxcA/t4XK3SuKwgqZy9Q==|title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army|website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|19
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|K K Kohli, [[AVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|October 2004
|July 2006
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/07/10/army-chief-visits-ota-1152547417.html|title=Army Chief visits OTA|date=10 July 2006|website=Oneindia|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|20
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|R K Swamy, [[AVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|October 2006
|September 2008
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/10/25/maj-gen-swamy-to-be-new-ota-commandant-1161761580.html|title=Maj Gen Swamy to be new OTA commandant|date=25 October 2006|website=Oneindia|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|21
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|J S Bajwa, [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal|UYSM]], [[Sena Medal|SM]]
|September 2008
|July 2010
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=59297|title=Seminar on integration of women in the Indian Army|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>
|-
|22
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|Gautam Banerjee
|August 2010
|July 2011
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/postgraduate-diploma-launched-for-ota-cadets/article2142844.ece|title=Post-graduate Diploma launched for OTA cadets|date=29 June 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN}}</ref>
|-
|23
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|S S Jog, [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|November 2011
|October 2014
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2013/oct01-13/h11.htm|title=h11|website=sainiksamachar.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/350-officers-commissioned-into-indian-army/articleshow/22582511.cms?from=mdr|title=350 officers commissioned into Indian Army|date=14 September 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>
|-
|24
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|R P Sahi, [[AVSM]]
|January 2015
|October 2015
|<ref>{{cite news|last1=Alexander|first1=Deepa|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/what-goes-into-the-making-of-an-officer-in-the-indian-army/article6990468.ece|title=These boots are made for marching|date=13 March 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN}}</ref>
|-
|25
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Bobby Mathews (general)|Bobby Mathews]], [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM & Bar]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|October 2016
|February 2017
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280217/lieutenant-general-bobby-mathews-retires.html|title=Lieutenant General Bobby Mathews retires|date=28 February 2017|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|26
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|Rajan Ravindran, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|March 2017
|February 2018
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/lt-gen-rajan-ravindran-takes-over-as-ota-commander-888582-2017-03-10|title=Lt Gen Rajan Ravindran takes over as OTA Commander|last1=March 10|first1=Press Trust of India|last2=March 10|first2=Press Trust of India|website=India Today|language=en|last3=Ist|first3=Press Trust of India}}</ref>
|-
|27
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|Sanjeev Kanal, [[AVSM]]
|March 2018
|January 2021
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=9jjKJZacvdIxv+QZpSI4OA==&ParentID=9awwL3tIQVlVGFgoY8s2rg==&flag=UefqTgtCRte04CK/Q4whZA==|title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army|website=indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|28
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|M K Das, SM**, VSM
|January 2021
|till date
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1347171979854446592?lang=en|date=2021-01-07|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|}

===OTA Gaya===
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" |S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" |Name
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 160px;" |Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" |References
|-
|-
|1
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|V Sharma, AVSM
|July 2011
|December 2011
|
|-
|2
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|J Sikand, VSM
|January 2012
|September 2012
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/gaya-officers-training-academy-poised-conduct-maiden-passing-071715440.html|title=Gaya Officers Training Academy poised to conduct maiden passing out parade|date=2012-06-06|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|3
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|G S Bisht, VSM
|October 2012
|July 2014
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/lt-gen-phillip-talks-duty-valour-at-parade/articleshow/36565633.cms|title=Lt Gen Phillip talks duty, valour at parade|date=2014-06-15|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|4
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|R K Sharma, SM
|July 2014
|October 2015
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/59-commissioned-officers-inducted-into-the-indian-army/articleshow/47654129.cms|title=59 Commissioned officers inducted into the Indian army|date=2015-06-13|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|5
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Vinod Vashisht|V Vashisht]], VSM**
|October 2015
|December 2016
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/149-gaya-ota-officers-inducted-into-army/articleshow/55915296.cms|title=149 Gaya OTA officers inducted into Army|date=2016-12-11|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|6
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|R K Jagga, VSM
|December 2016
|November 2017
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/jul01-17/h20.htm|title=Training of Gentleman cadets culminates with scintillating Parade|date=2017-07-01|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|V S Sreenivas, VSM**
|November 2017
|November 2018
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/bihar/166-cadets-commissioned-as-army-officers-from-gaya-2064580.html|title=166 cadets commissioned as army officers from Gaya|date=2017-12-09|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|8
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|S Srivastava, VSM**
|November 2018
|December 2020
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/91-cadets-commissioned-as-army-officers-from-gaya-academy/articleshow/72415983.cms|title=91 cadets commissioned as Army officers from Gaya academy|date=2019-12-09|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|9
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|G A V Reddy, [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]], VSM
|January 2021
|till date
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://react.etvbharat.com/english/national/bharat/lt-gen-gav-reddy-takes-over-as-commandant-of-ota-gaya/na20210110203110475|title=Lt Gen GAV Reddy takes over as Commandant of OTA Gaya|date=2021-01-10|access-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Indian National Defence University]]
* [[Military academies in India]]
* [[Sainik school]]
* [[Officers Training Academy Band]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Officers Training Academy}}
{{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|India|War}}

{{Indian military academies and colleges}}
{{Chennai Topics}}
{{coord missing|Chennai|Bihar}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Military academies of India]]
[[Category:Colleges affiliated to University of Madras]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1963]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Madras State]]

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Officers Training Academy