National Defence Academy (India): Difference between revisions

| head = Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor

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The '''National Defence Academy''' ('''NDA''') is the joint [[Military|defence service]] training institute of the [[Indian Armed Forces]], where [[cadet]]s of the three services i.e. the [[Indian Army]], the [[Indian Navy]] and the [[Indian Air Force]] train together before they go on to respective service academy for further pre-commission training. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, [[Pune]], Maharashtra. It is the first tri-service academy in the world.

The alumni of NDA include 3 [[Param Vir Chakra]] recipients and 12 [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]] recipients. NDA has also produced 27 service Chiefs of Staff till date. The current Chiefs of Staff of the [[Indian Army|Army]], the [[Indian Navy|Navy]] and the [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] are all NDA alumni from the same course.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/for-second-time-in-history-all-three-chiefs-to-be-from-same-nda-course-13193|title=For second time in history, all three Chiefs to be from same NDA course|last=Mohan|first=Vijay|date=17 December 2019|website=Tribune India|access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref><ref Name="NDA">{{cite web|url=http://nda.nic.in/chief-of-staff.html |title=:: Welcome to National Defence Academy ::|publisher=nda.nic.in|access-date=10 December 2013}}</ref> The 137th course graduated on 30 November 2019, consisting of 188 Army cadets, 38 Naval cadets, 37 Air Force cadets and 20 cadets from friendly foreign countries.<ref name="battle">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/education/284-cadets-pass-out-from-national-defence-academy-2141305|title=284 Cadets Pass Out From National Defence Academy|date=30 November 2019|website=NDTV|others=PTI|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of India]] passed an order in August 2021 that allowed female candidates to appear for the 5 September 2021 NDA entrance examination.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Livemint|date=2021-08-18|title=Supreme Court allows women to appear for NDA exam|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/supreme-court-allows-women-to-appear-for-nda-exam-11629268208560.html|access-date=2021-09-18|website=mint|language=en}}</ref>

In 1941, [[Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow|Lord Linlithgow]], the then [[Viceroy of India]], received a gift of £100,000 from a grateful [[Sudan]]ese Government towards building a war memorial in recognition of the sacrifices of Indian troops in the liberation of Sudan in the [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African campaign]] during [[World War II]]. Following [[partition of India|partition]], India's share amounted to £70,000 (Rs 14 Lakh at the time; the remaining £30,000 went to Pakistan).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/sudan-ambassador-visits-historic-block-at-nda/articleshow/57456675.cms|title=Sudan ambassador visits historic block at NDA|date=4 March 2017|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> The Indian Army decided to use these funds to partly cover the cost of construction of the NDA.<ref name=":3" /> The foundation stone for the academy was laid by then [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] on 6 October 1949.<ref name=":3" /> Construction started in October 1949. The revised estimated cost for the whole project was Rs 6.45 crores respectively.<ref>PARLIAMENT SECRETARIAT (2 March 1954) [https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/55676/1/lsd_01_06_02-03-1954.pdf PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE, OFFICIAL REPORT (Part Il—Proceedings other than Questions and Answers) VOLUME 1-1954]. page 14. New Delhi</ref><ref>https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/55676/1/lsd_01_06_02-03-1954.pdf page 15</ref> The National Defence Academy was formally commissioned on 7 December 1954, with an inauguration ceremony held on 16 January 1955.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="bharat">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharatonline.com/maharashtra/travel/pune/national-defence-academy.html |title=National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, Pune, India |publisher=Bharatonline.com |access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=August 2021}} The 10th JSW program was transferred from Clement Town, Dehradun to NDA Khadakwasla.It is the first tri-service academy in the world.

The NDA campus is located about 17&nbsp;km south-west of Pune city, north-west of Khadakwasla Lake with the [[Sinhagad Fort]] providing a panoramic backdrop.<ref name="nda-history" /> It spans {{convert|7015|acre|km2}} of the {{convert|8022|acre|km2}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/apr/21army.htm|title=Careers in the Army: How you can sign up|last=Kumar|first=Navin|date=21 April 2008|website=Rediff|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref> donated by the Government of former Bombay State. While many states had offered land for a permanent place for the Academy, Bombay got the honour, donating the most land including a lake and neighbouring hilly terrain.{{Sfn|Ramunny|1997|p=94}} The site was also chosen for its proximity to the [[Arabian Sea]] and other military establishments, an operational air base nearby at [[Lohagaon]] as well as the salubrious climate. The existence of an old combined-forces training centre and a disused ''mock'' landing ship, ''HMS Angostura'', on the north bank of the Khadakwasla lake which had been used to train troops for amphibious landings, lent additional leverage for the selection of the site.<ref name="nda-history" />

The administrative headquarters of the NDA was named the ''Sudan Block'', in honour of the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the Sudan theatre during the [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African campaign]]. It was inaugurated by then Ambassador of Sudan to India, Rahmatullah Abdulla, on 30 May 1959.<ref name=":3" /> The building is a 3-storey basalt and granite structure constructed with Jodhpur red sandstone. Its architecture features an exterior design comprising a blend of arches, pillars and verandahs, topped by a dome. The foyer has white Italian marble flooring and panelling on the interior walls.<ref name=":3" /> The Habibullah Museum is also present on the campus.<ref name=":5" />

 

NDA has an excellent infrastructure for all-round training of cadets and a vast array of facilities like spacious and well-maintained classrooms, well-equipped labs, two Olympic size swimming pools, a gymnasium, 32 football fields, 2 polo grounds, a cricket stadium and a number of squash and tennis courts.<ref name=":5" /> The academic year is divided into two terms, viz. Spring (January to May) and Autumn (July to December). A cadet must undergo training for a total of six terms before graduating from the NDA.

The Commandant of the National Defence Academy is the head and overall in-charge of the academy. The Commandant is a [[three-star rank]] officer from the three Services in rotation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/outdated-courses-to-rampant-ragging-why-indias-national-defence-academy-needs-urgent-help/264363/|title=Outdated courses to rampant ragging: Why India's National Defence Academy needs urgent help|last=Panag|first=Lt Gen H. S.|date=2019-07-18|website=ThePrint|access-date=2019-12-13|quote="...Lieutenant General or equivalent is appointed as the Commandant."}}</ref> [[Major General]] Thakur Mahadeo Singh, [[Distinguished Service Order (Military)|DSO]] was the first commandant of JSW at IMA. [[Major General]] [[Ibrahim Habibullah|E Habibullah]] was the last head of the JSW and the First Commandant of NDA at Pune. [[Lieutenant General]] Asit Mistry, is the present commandant. Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, the twenty eighth commandant, was accused in a recruitment scandal and removed from his post for corruption.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/nda-recruitment-scam-black-label-bottles-cash-as-bribe-favourable-officers-posted-on-recruitment-panel/|title=NDA recruitment scam: Black Label bottles, cash as bribe, favourable officers posted on recruitment panel|last=Kulkarni|first=Sushan|date=12 January 2016|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Applicants who join the Air Force through the flying branch also go through a test called Computerized Pilot Selection System or CPSS for short. About 300 cadets are accepted to the academy each semester. About 70 cadets are accepted for the Air Force, 40 for the Navy, 190 for the Army.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

A cadet is allotted to one of the 16 Squadrons.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/columnists/a-ride-into-military-school.html|title=A ride into military school|last=Mehta|first=Ashok K|date=23 October 2019|website=The Pioneer|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref>

 

As the number of cadets joining the NDA increased annually, the Defence Ministry of India sanctioned the raising of 16th, 17th and 18th squadrons in 2012, with the initial letter of their names being "P", "Q" and "R" respectively. The newly raised "Panthers" squadron won the Academy cross-country run championship in its first participation in Spring 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/with-quebec-&-romeo-nda-squadron-strength-up-to-18/919796/|title=With Quebec & Romeo, NDA squadron strength up to 18|date=4 March 2012|publisher=Indian Express|access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-squadron-wins-honours-in-nda-cross-country-race/914212/0|title=New squadron wins honours in NDA cross country race|date=20 February 2012|publisher=Indian Express|access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>

The NDA offers only a full-time, residential undergraduate program. Cadets are awarded a [[Baccalaureate degree]] (a ''Bachelor of Arts'' or a ''Bachelor of Science)'' and a B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) degree for Naval Cadets after 3 years of study. Naval cadets complete their fourth year of BTECH from Indian Naval Academy. Further, the Cadets have a choice of two streams of study. The ''Science'' stream offers studies in [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[mathematics]] and [[computer science]]. The ''Humanities'' (Liberal Arts) stream offers studies in [[history]], [[economics]], [[political science]], [[geography]] and [[language]]s.

All the cadets joining the NDA after their 10+2 Examination are trained in the Academy for three years culminating in graduation with BA(or)BSc or BCs (Computer Science) degree of [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]]; the first course to be awarded degrees was the 46th course in 1974.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=NDA cadets conferred with JNU degrees |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/nda-cadets-conferred-jnu-degrees-5472780/ |access-date=23 October 2019 |agency=The Indian Express |date=30 November 2018}}</ref> Apart from academic training they are also trained in outdoor skills, like [[Military parade|Drill]], [[Physical training|PT]] and games; apart from one of the foreign languages up to the lower B1 level (according to the international standards).{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Cadet are imparted a blend of outdoor and indoor training. Outdoor training is carried out in the hilly and wooded terrain in and around the NDA campus. Indoor training includes theoretical and practical simulated training. Cadets are taught subjects such as tactical training, weapon training, map reading, military writing, field engineering, organization and administration and radio telephony. Training visits to operational military establishments and bases are also incorporated to enhance the practical content of the training.

During his/her stay at the NDA, an Army cadet is taught judging distances, terrain study, indication and recognition of targets, camouflage and concealment, trench digging, observation by day and night, stalking, organization of an Infantry section, section formations, field signals and fire control orders. They are also taught handling of firearms, marksmanship and night firing. In addition, aspects of NBC Warfare and CI ops are also taught to the cadets.

 

 

In the sixth term Camp Torna,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> "''recalling the first victory of [[Shivaji]], a teenager''"<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i7KaDAAAQBAJ&q=Camp+Torna&pg=PA30|title=Living Life Loving Life|last=Sawant|first=Brig Chitranjan|date=19 January 2021|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|isbn=978-81-8430-399-5|pages=30|language=en}}</ref> is conducted, where practical aspects are reinforced in simulated field conditions. The cadets are provided with opportunities to demonstrate leadership qualities in various tactical situations. Other aspects covered during the camp include navigation by day and night, quick attack at section level, patrolling, ambush, endurance training, and occupation of a Section Defended Post and conduct of a defensive battle at section level by night.

The NAVAL Training Team (NTT)<ref name=":1" /> is the oldest of the Training Teams at the NDA. The main task of the Naval Training Team is to train V and VI term naval cadets on Specialist Service Subjects both theoretical and practical.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/Army-air-force-cadets-to-get-naval-training-as-well/articleshow/45693899.cms|title=Army, air force cadets to get naval training as well|last=Dighe|first=Sandip|date=31 December 2014|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> Naval cadets on completion of their 3 years of training go to [[Indian Naval Academy]] (INA) as their finishing academy for 1 year, where they commence their M.Sc degree along with cadets of INA who will be doing B.Tech. From 2015 army and air force cadets get naval training as well.<ref name=":6" />

On 29 May 2021,the [[Passing out (military)|passing-out parade]] of the 140th course of the Academy was held with  cadets{{Efn|188 Army cadets, 38 Naval cadets, 37 Air Force cadets and 20 cadets from friendly foreign countries.<ref name="battle"/>|name=battle|group=}} graduating.<ref name="battle" /> chief of naval staff of India, Admiral Karambir Singh was the chief guest for the occasion.<ref name="battle" />

Alumni of the academy have led and fought in every major conflict in which India has participated since the academy was established. They have an illustrious record of numerous gallantry awards and achieving 3 [[Param Vir Chakra]]s, 31 [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s, 160 [[Vir Chakra]], 11 [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashok Chakra]]s, 40 [[Kirti Chakra]]s and 135 [[Shaurya Chakra]]s.<ref name=rakesh-sharma>{{cite web|url=http://www.nda.nic.in/nda_other_tourist_places.html|title=National Defence Academy, NDA Pune Alumni}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2021}} 11 [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chiefs of Army Staff]], 10 [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chiefs of Naval Staff]] and 4 [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chiefs of Air Staff]] of the Indian Armed Forces have been NDA alumni.<ref name=nda-chiefs>{{cite web |url=http://nda.nic.in/html/nda-chiefs-of-staff.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023064322/http://nda.nic.in/html/nda-chiefs-of-staff.html |archive-date=23 October 2007 |url-status=dead |title=National Defence Academy, NDA Pune &#124; Arjuna Award Winners from NDA |access-date=10 December 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

''The Standard Bearers'', a documentary directed and written by Dipti Bhalla and Kunal Verma provides an inside look into the history and operations of the NDA. Another documentary film, ''My Flag, My Life'', written by Ambarnath Sinha and directed by Nandan Khuhyadi and Sanjay Dabke, provides details about the life of NDA cadets, and is intended to create awareness about a career in the armed forces among the young generation.<ref name="ps.c">{{cite web|title='My Flag My Life', a Film insipers Youth to Join the Forces|url=http://www.punesite.com/my-flag-my-life-a-film-to-inspire-youth-to-join-the-forces.html|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829124749/http://www.punesite.com/my-flag-my-life-a-film-to-inspire-youth-to-join-the-forces.html|archive-date=29 August 2018|access-date=13 August 2012|publisher=punesite.com}}</ref><ref name=toij28>{{cite news|title=Now, a film to inspire youth to join the forces|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-28/pune/28209420_1_film-defence-forces-career-options|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618064917/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-28/pune/28209420_1_film-defence-forces-career-options|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2013|access-date=13 August 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 July 2009}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=August 2021}} Books depicting NDA include the fictional "''Boots Belts Berets''" by Tanushree Podder, which is also being adapted into a [[web series]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/boots-belts-berets-to-be-turned-into-web-series-119061201124_1.html|title='Boots Belts Berets' to be turned into web series|last=IANS|date=2019-06-12|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref> Outlook reported that over 1200 cadets quit NDA in ten years between January 2008 and November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/more-than-1200-cadets-quit-nda-in-last-10-years-due-to-ragging-torture-excessive/306441|title=More Than 1,200 Cadets Quit NDA In Last 10 Years Due To Ragging, Torture, Excessive Punishment: Report|date=5 January 2018|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref>

* [http://www.nda.nic.in/ Official Website]