The Officers Training Academy is a training academy of the Indian Army which is established to train officers for permanent commission (Gaya) and Short service commission (Chennai).
The OTA Chennai was established in 1963 in Alandur, Chennai and it prepares graduates for all branches of the Indian Army. A new academy OTA Gaya was established in Gaya in 2011 to especially train cadets for the engineering branch of the Indian army.
A short history of the two academies
OTA Chennai
After the Sino-Indian war, india felt the need to expand the number of officers for operations. Two Officers Training Schools (OTS) were established in Pune and Madras. The Pune school was closed within few years and the school in Chennai was kept on running. This school was granted permanent status in 1985 and in 1988 the school was renamed as Officers Training Academy (OTA).
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OTA Chennai holds the privilege to passout the batch of first 25 women to be commissioned as Officers in the Army on 21 September 1992.
There are two Battalions in OTA Chennai that are named as Ranjith Singh Battalion and Shivaji Battalion.
Motto of the academy is Serve with Honour.
Ranjith Singh Battalion consists of three companies namely Kohima, Jessami and Phillora. Shivaji Battalion consists of three companies Meiktila, Naushera and Zojila.
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OTA Gaya
This Academy was established in 2011. The academy is located en route from Gaya to Bodhgaya. It is a pre-commission training (PCT) school, with a targeted training capacity of 750 cadets. The academy’s goal is to prepare Gentlemen Cadets to join the Indian Army’s professionally competent commissioned officer cadre.The first batch of trainee officers of 149 cadets underwent training in the academy in July 2011.
The academy’s motto is written in Devnagri on a scroll below: “Shaurya, Gyan, Sankalp.”
In December 2019, it was decided that OTA Gaya will be shut down due to lack of intake.
How to Join?
One can join the Officers Training Academy Chennai by appearing at the CDSE exam which is conducted twice a year by the UPSC. A candidate can also join this academy by appearing in the various direct entries such as NCC Special Entry, JAG, SSC TECH.
While admission in the OTA Gaya is through the 10+2 TES that is the Technical entry scheme for the boys who are in or have passed out from 12th Standard.
Also serving soldiers can join through SCO Entry to Join OTA Gaya. This is a special entry for the serving soldiers of the Indian Army troops. Soldiers are to apply from their respective units as soon as the notification arrives.
Age Criteria
OTA Chennai
1. 19-25 from UPSC or NCC Special Entry.
2. 20-27 for SSC TECH (Male and Female).
3. 21-27 for JAG (Male and Female).
4. 21-27 for CDSE(Male and Female).
OTA Gaya
16.5-19.5 – Only Male Candidates (TES Entry)
Training Period
- OTA Chennai has a training period of 49 weeks
- Period of training in OTA GAYA is 5 years (1 year at OTA, Gaya and 4 years at CTWS).
Also Read: How Is OTA Different From IMA? Which One To Join – IMA Vs OTA
| Criteria | OTA Chennai | OTA Gaya |
| Entries | SSC Non-Tech- CDSE SSC Tech (Male and Female) SSC JAG (Male and Female) NCC (Special Entry for Male and Female) | 10+2 (TES) Entry |
| Education Qualification | CDSE: Graduate from recognized university SSC Tech (Men and Women): BE/B.Tech graduates in the advised streams SSC JAG (Men and Women): Graduates with LLB 55%passing marks NCC (Special Entry for Men and Women): Graduation with minimum 50% marks and 2 years administration in NCC Sr. Div Army/Navy/AirForce Wing with least ‘B’ grade in NCC ‘C’ Certificate Exam. | Physics, Chemistry and Maths (total 70% or more to apply) at 10+2 level. |
| Age Criteria | CDSE: Male & Female Candidates between 19 to 25 years SSC Tech (Male and Female): 20 to 27 years SSC JAG (Male and Female): 21 to 27 years NCC (Special Entry for Male and Female):19 to 25 years | Only Male Candidates between 16.5 to 19.5 years |
| Training Period | OTA Chennai has a training period of 49 weeks | 5 years (1 year at OTA, Gaya and 4 years at CTWS). |
Best Ways To Join The OTA Chennai and OTA Gaya
1. Through CDSE
CDS OTA is a Combined Defense Service recruitment exam that is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year. It is a recruitment exam that is conducted to recruit candidates to the Air Force, Navy, Army of India.
In OTA, candidates are allowed to stay in service for 10 to 14 years. Candidates have to apply for a permanent commission if they want to work for more than 14 years of commission.
Age Eligibility for men and women are 19yrs to 25yrs. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized University to apply for various posts in the CDS OTA exam.
The selection process for UPSC CDS OTA is comprised of four stages:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Verification of Document
- Medical Examination
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2. SSC – Tech
Men and women who are technical graduates can join through SSC-Tech Entries. There is no written exam and the shortlisting of application is done on the basis of cut-off percentage of qualifying exam, i.e. engineering. Prepare For SSC(Tech) Entry Online with SSBCrackExams: Enroll for SSB Interview Online Coaching
3. JAG – Judge Advocate Entry
Law Graduates can apply for this entry. Male and Female Graduates with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State are eligible. SSB calls made to desired candidates after initial screening of the applications. Notification is made in June/July. Prepare For JAG Entry Online with SSBCrackExams: Enroll for SSB Interview Online Coaching
4. NCC Special Entry Scheme
For NCC candidates age requirement is from 19 years to 25 years. Degree of a recognized University or equivalent with aggregate of minimum 50% marks taking into account marks of all the years. Should have served for minimum two/three years (as applicable) in Senior Division/Wg of NCC. Prepare For NCC Entry Online with SSBCrackExams: Enroll for SSB Interview Online Coaching
5. 10+2 TES Entry
Conducted for selection of eligible candidates suitable for training at the Officers Training Academy, Gaya followed by 3 years Pre Commission Training and 1 year Post Commission Training at CME Pune or MCTE Mhow or MCEME Secunderabad. The candidates will be awarded engineering degrees at end of their training of four years . Number of seats is around 90 each term
Eligibility and Process:
- Candidates of the age group 16.5-19.5 years (at the time of joining) are eligible to apply if they have secured 60% aggregate in Physics, Maths and Chemistry , in his class XII boards and appeared in JEE(Mains) Exam .
- After registration on joindianarmy.nic.in candidates would be shortlisted on basis of their ranks in JEE(Mains) Exam.
- Shortlisted will candidates will undergo the same process of SSB Interview, followed by medicals and then issued joining letters as per all India merit list based on marks secured in SSB Interview.
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I hope this article was helpful to you and all the best
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