Section 14

(c) Technical Graduate
(d) University Entry
(e) Direct Entry -1 ½ years
(f) Foreign Gentlemen Cadets - Duration as per entry (g) TA Officers Course - 3 Months (h) PC (SL) - 1 Month

Weapon Training

A very high standard of Weapon Training is imparted to the Gentlemen Cadets in the Academy. The training also includes the following: -

(a) Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Range . CQB range developed with an aim to train Gentlemen Cadets in reflex shooting and engage targets at close ranges consists a total of 15 rooms divided into two firing alleys of seven rooms each and one common room. Two Gentlemen Cadets can fire simultaneously in each alley. A total of 30 targets mix of static, pop up, traverse and hostage targets are used for firing practice. High resolution CCTV cameras are placed in each room to facilitate control at all times. Video playback option and live streaming options are also available facilitating waiting details to observe the faults and institute corrective measures accordingly

(b) Location of Miss and Hit Target System (LOMAH). LOMAH is an "Acoustical" Projectile Detection System installed with an aim to impart quality weapon training to Gentlemen Cadets by facilitating application and classification fire. It is an all weather equipment, which enables live firing unlike simulators, provides instant results/review of shots to firer and saves time by obviating physical checking and repairing. The scores obtained by Gentlemen Cadets can be retrieved and printed at a later stage.

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(c) Team Battle Shooting Range (TBSR). TBSR has been introduced for IIIrd term Gentlemen Cadets with an aim to train them on practical aspects of employment of platoon and section weapons in a defensive battle as also to exercise them on fire control orders.

(d) Jungle Lane Shooting . Jungle Lane Shooting is carried out as an integrated part of exercise Golabari and involves exercising Gentlemen Cadets on effective engaging of targets emerging in a jungle terrain In the backdrop of Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism scenario. The lanes comprise of various types of targets so placed to exercise Gentlemen Cadets on their reflex shooting, quick identification and recognition of targets, speedy engagement and bringing down aimed fire. The exercise is very effective to imbibe confidence in passing out Gentlemen Cadets for operating in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism environment which they are likely to counter on induction into such areas after commissioning.

Games and Sports

All games are organised by the Gentlemen Cadets. Instructors play as many games as possible with the Gentlemen Cadets. The following games are played: -

(a) Spring Term. X Country, Hockey, Basketball, Polo and Athletics.

(b) Autumn Term. Football, Aquatics, Volleyball, Boxing and X-Country.

(c) A sports meet is held every term/ once a year in which teams of National Defence Academy (NDA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Naval Academy & INS Shivaji participate.

Clubs

Membership of a club is compulsory for Gentlemen Cadets. The Academy has the following indoor and outdoor clubs: -

(a) Indoor. Journalism, Arts, Music and Drama, Computer Application, GIS and Electronics.

(b) Sports. Golf, Squash, Tennis, Riding and Polo, Shooting, Archery, Gymnastics and Cycling & Cycle Polo.

(c)Outdoor. Driving & Maintenance, Gardening, Aero modeling, Scuba Diving, Mountaineering & Rock Climbing and Weak PT & Swimming.

Mid Term Break

(a) The mid term break is organised as the adventure training break. All Gentlemen Cadets of I/II term proceed on training hikes to various destinations of cultural, historical and military importance. Adventure activities like Trekking, Cycling, Rock Climbing, Water sports, Paragliding etc form essential part of each of these hikes. Local multi activity hikes include White Water Rafting, Para sailing and cycle expeditions which are organized for Gentlemen Cadets who stay back in the Academy.

(b) During the Mid-Term break the III termers proceed on Forward Area Tour to various field formations in the Northern borders for familiarisation and interaction with troops.

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LIFE OF A GC IN IMA

A trainee, on his admission to the Academy is christened as ‘Gentleman Cadet’ and is popularly known as a GC. The freshman GCs hail from diverse backgrounds with multifarious habits and grooming. The Academy plays a vital role in moulding those differences and helps them anchored into a common bonding. Doing things together brings a sense of fellow feeling. No GC gets preferential treatment. All are allowed to shape up together: together they break bread, together they play and together they receive the same kind of training. This bonding helps them to develop values such as camaraderie, espirit de corps and oneness that go a long way to give a separate identity to the corps of officers in the Army. It is simply that the future officers are made to acquire the finer graces of life and living which invests them with a personal dignity and a sense of appreciation for those finer pursuits which distinguish man and civilization. IMA encourages a Gentlemen Cadet to reflect on the greatness of India’s diversity, her secular foundation and to honour the traditions and customs of the Army. In a nutshell, IMA habitat helps him to become a rounded personality.

The dimensions of the trainees' role and responsibility in safeguarding the frontiers and culture of the motherland, add up to a complex totality. It is only natural that the training and grooming of GCs is multifaceted and multiform. From grueling route-marches to photography, painting, seminars, term-papers, tours and sports, the training is an action filled scenario nurturing their mental and physical potential. Each and every GC is allowed equal space for growth within the given time frame. The pace of training at the Academy is fast and intense. Therefore, it is no wonder that it becomes a test of one's mettle and capabilities, and in psychological terms a foretaste of what the trainees would face in the battlefield where there is no room or no scope of explanation and rationalization for failures. The completion of training is therefore, a sort of selfassessment which awakens and activates one's self esteem, sense of honour, and dignity.

This self esteem and sense of honour is an article of cardinal faith in the training of Gentlemen Cadets. In fact, it is the hallmark of the training at the Indian Military Academy. It is this sense of honour, personal and of the group, imbibed at the Academy, which enables the officers to hold together and lead men in uniform against all odds in the battlefields. Also, it is the same sense of honour which inspires fair play and instinct to be trustworthy of both subordinates and superiors, making loyalty a matter of honour. A GC learns a great deal of values of life during his short stay in the Academy.

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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS: LAST 15 MONTHS

Must Read these Current Affairs of last 15 months related to Indian Defence, Indian Armed Forces (Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard), Defence Production, Defence Acquisition and other defence related matters. These defence related current affairs precise notes will help you in the upcoming defence related competitive written exams like UPSC CAPF AC, AFCAT, CDS, NDA and other competitive exams like SSC CGL, Bank, Railway as well.

Apart from its benefits in AFCAT, CDS, NDA, CAPF AC, TA, SSC, UPSC written exams, these important defence current affairs can be very helpful in your personal interview in the SSB Interview . Below are the important month-wise defence related current affairs notes.

JANUARY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the country's second Defense Industrial Corridor in Tamil Nadu on 20 January 2019. It has been named the Tamil Nadu Defense Industrial Corridor. Five cities of Tamil Nadu will be included in this.

2. The Indian Navy has launched its largest coastal defense exercise on 22 January 2019, ten years after the "26/11" attack. The codename of this practice is 'C Vigil 2019'. This is a two-day defense exercise.

3. The Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro to come up in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured.

DRDO tested a new indigenous air-launched missile called NGARM, which is designed to destroy a variety of surveillance and radar targets on the ground.
The first and largest coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil was conducted by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
Capt Shikha Surabhi became the first woman to perform bike stunts, alongside her male teammates in the 70th Republic Day parade. An all women contingent from Assam Rifles participated for the first time headed by Major Khushboo Kanwar.

7. Admiral Sunil Lamba PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman COSC and Chief of the Naval Staff started on 24 January 2019 as INS Kohasa of Naval Air Station INS Shibpur, AndamanNicobar.

The second Defence Industrial Corridor - connecting Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli - was inaugurated by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

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President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army to General Purna Chandra Thapa, the Army Chief of Nepal
ISRO successfully launched a military satellite Microsat-R. The military satellite is onboard its Polar rocket PSLV-C44. Microsat-R was launched from the spaceport in Sriharikota.

FEBRUARY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved the acquisition of the Rs 1,200 crore Milan-2T anti-tank missiles. While the requirement was of 70,000 different types of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and 850 different launchers, the DAC has approved the purchase of 5,000 Milan 2T anti-tank guided missiles from France.
The Interim Budget 2019 has increased the allocations to the Defence Ministry by 6.87 per cent to Rs 3.18 lakh crore against last year’s allocation of Rs 2.98 lakh crore.
The disaster relief exercise ‘Exercise Rahat’ will be demonstrated in Jaipur, Kota and Alwar in Rajasthan on Feb 11-12.
The US President has approved the sale of two missile defence systems for Air India One. The two missile defence systems Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCAM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS) will enhance the security of planes flying the prime minister and the president.
On 31 January 2019, the Ministry of Defense has approved indigenously built six submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 40 thousand crore. The proposal was approved in the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
On 10 February 2019, American aerospace company Boeing supplied four Chinook military helicopters for the Indian Air Force at Mundra port in Gujarat. The statement issued by the company said that CH 47 F (I) Chinook will be taken to Chandigarh, where he will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force.
The annual Cobra Gold military exercises of Thailand and the United States began hosting Thailand. Cobra Gold is an annual multilateral military exercise by Thailand and the United States.
India successfully test-fired the land-to-air Quick Reaction Missile (QRSAM) off the coast of Odisha on 26 February 2019. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has tested these two missiles being developed for the military.

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As part of defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh, the joint military exercise of the two countries "Sampruti" - 2019 will be conducted at Tangail, Bangladesh from 02 March to 15 March 2019.

10. Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal becomes the first woman flight engineer after she completed the six-month IAF's engineering branch course at 112 Helicopter Unit, Air Force Station Yelahanka.

MARCH 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Smart Fencing (fence) system on the IndiaBangladesh border on 06 March 2019. This system has been introduced on the IndiaBangladesh border in Dhubri district of Assam.
The Indian Defense Research Organization (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously built multibarrel pinnac rocket system on 11 March 2019. It is capable of demolishing enemy targets from long distances.
The joint military exercise of India and Bangladesh concludes on 14 March 2019 in Tangail, Bangladesh. Company Group of the 9th Battalion of Rajputana Rifles and 36 East Bengal Battalion Bangladesh Company participated on behalf of Indian Army in India-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise.
The inauguration ceremony of Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 (AFINDEX-19) for India and African countries was held on 18 March 2019 at Aundh Military Station, Pune. This practice program will run from 18 March to 27 March 2019.
The Indian Air Force formally inducted the CH 47F (I) Chinook helicopter into its fleet at Chandigarh Air Force Station on 25 March 2019. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Indian Air Force, was also present on the occasion, who described it as 'National Heritage'.
The third joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman ended on 25 January 2019 at the Jabal Al Akhazar Training Camp in Al Nagah - 2019 Oman. Indian Ambassador to Oman Manu Mahawar and Major General AK Samanatara participated in this closing ceremony.
The Indian Navy's frontline ASW Corvette INS Kadmat arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia on 25 March 2019 on a seven-day official visit.
Sampriti 2019, eight edition of India Bangladesh joint military exercise began on 3rd March 2019. The joint exercise is aimed to increase mutual cooperation, bonhomie and camaraderie between the armies of India and Bangladesh.
The Union Defence Ministry as announced that permanent commission will be granted for Women in all the 10 branches of Indian Army. The extension of Permanent Commission to Women will provide women with a career in the Army till their retirement. The Short Service

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Commission entails an opportunity to serve as a Commissioned Officer for 10/14 years. At the end of 10 yrs, 3 options will be provided, either elect for a Permanent Commission or opt out or have the option of 4 years extension.

India and Russia have signed an agreement for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years.

APRIL 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

The third naval maneuver between the Navies of India and Australia began on 02 April 2019 at the Naval Base at Visakhapatnam, Osiendex-2019.
The United States has approved the sale of 24 MH-60R Romeo Seahawk choppers to India. India needed these hunter helicopters for more than a decade.
The bilateral exercise between the armies of India and Singapore 'Bold Kurukshetra Exercise-2019' began in Babina. Troops of both the armies attended the ceremony together. This joint exercise is being held in Babina, Jhansi from 8 April to 11 April.
The 12th joint military exercise between India and Singapore 'Bold Kurukshetra-2019' concluded on 11 April 2019. The closing ceremony was held at Babina Military Station, Jhansi.
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired longrange sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' developed in the country from the test site at Chandipur, Odisha on 15 April 2019.
Varun-19 naval maneuvers will be conducted in mid-May 2019 between India and France. During this time, the Navy will practice on showing courage efficiently and with restraint in various circumstances.
The Indian Navy recently launched INS Imphal into the sea. INS Imphal, built for the Indian Navy, specializes in blasting guided missiles. The main thing about its construction is that it has been designed and built in India. INS Imphal was launched by Indian Navy at Manjhgaon Docks in Mumbai.
State-owned Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has become the “first Indian shipyard” to build and deliver 100 warships. The 100th warship ‘IN LCU L-56’ has been handed over to the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Bimal Verma has withdrawn his petition from the Armed Forces Tribunal which challenged the appointment of Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next navy chief replacing Admiral Sunil Lanba. He was superseded in the appointment.
After the successful test of A-SAT through Mission Shakti, India’s defence capability has got a further boost with the successful launch of the ElectroMagnetic Intelligence Satellite (EMISAT).

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MAY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Indian Navy recently announced the relinquishment of India's important missile destroyer INS Ranjith. INS Ranjit will be sent to the Naval Dockyard after 6 years of service on 6 May 2019.
The Indian Navy launched the fourth Scorpene submarine INS Vella on 06 May 2019 at Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai. Earlier, in January 2019, the Navy launched Karanj. With the arrival of this submarine, the strength of the country's navy will increase significantly.
The Indian Air Force has got its first combat helicopter Apache Guardian on 11 May 2019. This helicopter has been built in Arizona, USA. The Indian Air Force has received a Chinook heavylift helicopter earlier.
The medium-range ground-to-air missile (MRSAM) has been successfully tested by the Indian Navy on 17 May 2019. This information has been made public recently by the Ministry of Defense. Successful testing of MRSAM will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's resistance to war.
The Simbex-2019 war exercise between India and Singapore has begun. This is the 26th edition of this practice. This exercise is being organized between 16 May to 22 May 2019.
The formidable aircraft of the Indian Air Force, a Russian-made AN-32 aircraft, were formally certified on 26 May 2019 to operate with mixed aviation fuel. After this approval, up to 10 percent of the indigenous bio-jet fuel can be used in the mixed fuel used in this aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
Ministry of Defence has approved Indian Navy’s proposal to acquire 10 Kamov-31 helicopters from Russia. The deal worth Rs.3,600 crore, is a move to strengthen Indian Navies capability against aerial threats to its aircraft carriers and large warships.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed on on 7 May 1960, with primary goal of securing India’s borders and developing infrastructure in remote areas of India’s north and north eastern states. On 7 May 2019 BRO celebrated its 59th Raising Day (foundation day).
Two Indian Navy ships INS Kolkata and INS Shakti carried out a six day long ‘Group Sail’ (starting from 3 May and ending on 9 May) with naval ships of USA, Japan and Philippines in South China Sea (SCS).

10. Chief of Naval Operations of US Navy, Admiral John Michael Richardson is on a three day official tour to India. The tour is scheduled from 12 to 14 May 2019 and during his visit he will meet Indian Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba in New Delhi.

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JUNE 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Admiral Karambir Singh assumes charge as the new Chief of Indian Navy. With this appointment he now becomes 24th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) .
Indian Air Force’s AN-32 transport aircraft goes missing after taking off from Jorhat in Assam. The airborne aircraft had total 13 people on board including eight aircrew and five passengers.
The Indian Air Force tweeted and informed that none of the passengers aboard the missing Air Force AN-32 have survived. The Indian Air Force tweeted that the rescue team of eight members has reached the crash site, where they have not found any survivors.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a contract worth Rs 1,187.82 crore to supply more powerful Varunastra torpedoes to the Indian Navy. The company will complete arms supply in 42 months.
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Flight Lieutenant Mohana Singh became first ever woman pilot to fly by day on Hawk advanced jet aircraft.
The “Kharga Prahar”, a major training exercise conducted by the Indian Army in Punjab from 27 May 2019 concluded on 4 June 2019.
The Anti-ship version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos was test fired from the launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.
The Indian Navy recently deployed its P8I surveillance planes for carrying out anti-piracy patrol sorties from Salalah (in Oman) to patrol the Gulf of Aden and other piracy prone areas.
The 4th Coast Guard Subordinate Officers Conclave 2019 was inaugurated by Rajendra Singh, Director General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The two-day conclave was held at ICG Headquarters in New Delhi.
Indian Air Force (IAF) signed Rs.300 crore deal with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems , an Israeli defence firm to procure a batch of SPICE 2000 guided bombs.
The Indian Navy is hosting a Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2019 edition under the aegis of the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram, Harayana. The two-day event was inaugurated by Vice Admiral MS Pawar, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff in 12 June 2019.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of the Central Government of India headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared setting up of new agency called Defence Space Research Agency (DSRO. The DSRO has been entrusted with task of creating space warfare weapon systems and technologies.

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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted maiden test of an indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) from launch pad number-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha Coast.
Starting from 16 May 2019, the armies of India and Myanmar carried out a 3-week-long coordinated operation in their respective border areas called ‘Operation Sunrise 2’ to bust terror camps. The operation was targeted at militant groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam. This was the 2nd edition of Operation Sunrise.
Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to reassure safe passage of Indian flagged vessels transiting through area. This deployment is in the wake of following recent maritime incidents in region.
The preemptive non military air strike conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) on a terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, on 26 February 2019 was code-named Operation Bandar (Monkey).
K Natarajan has been appointed as new Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He will be succeeding Rajendra Singh, who retires on 30 June 2019.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) commemorated 20 years of Kargil War (held between May-July 1999) by turning Gwalior air base virtually into a ‘ war theatre’ with a dramatic reenactment of some milestone’s of 1999 operation such as Tiger Hill Attack.

JULY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

India has signed Rs.200 crore deal with Russia for acquiring Strum Ataka anti-tank missile for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers of Indian Air Force (IAF). This deal comes in wake of an IAF’s attempt to keep itself battle-ready in situations like post-Balakot aerial strikes.

Section 14

Weapon Training

Games and Sports

Clubs

Mid Term Break

LIFE OF A GC IN IMA

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS: LAST 15 MONTHS

<mark>JANUARY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>FEBRUARY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>MARCH 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>APRIL 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>MAY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>JUNE 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

<mark>JULY 2019: DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS</mark>

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