What you should and shouldn’t carry to a military academy?
If you are reading this post then I’m sure that either out of curiosity or you have been selected to join one of the prestigious military academy like IMA, OTA or NDA. If your reason is latter one, then let me congratulate you for that. Well Done!!
The joining instructions published by the Indian Army website are redundant. Even though the academies have taken trouble to get it updated after many complains by the GCs and LCs, nothing really changed there.
So I thought to take it to myself that those who are joining hereafter must get updated instructions and should not be facing problems after reaching the academy.
The documentation part given in the Joining Instruction found here, is updated. But the list of items to be taken to academy is outdated.
Items to be Brought at the Time of Joining –
Since the issue of uniform and kit will take some time, you are advised to bring the following minimum items of personal and essential clothing :-
(a) Lady Cadets (LCs)(OTA)
- Dressing Gown – 1 No.
- White Shirts (full sleeved with one pocket) – 2 No.
- Terry Cotton White Trousers – 1 Pair
- Black Terry Cotton Trousers (with two pleats and loops) – 2 No.
- Saree dress (Complete) – 1 No. (Optional)
- Night Suit/Nighties – 2 No.
- Black Shoes – 1 Pair
- Black Socks – 2 Pairs
- White PT Shoes (Plain without any design) – 1 Pair
- White Socks (Cotton) – 3 Pairs
- Bathroom Slippers – 1 Pair
- Undergarments – 6 Sets.
- Handkerchiefs – 12 Nos.
- Bath Towels (white) large – 2 Nos.
- Personal toilet requisites like soap, toothpaste etc.
- Black Box size 75 × 45 × 30 cms. (with name in white painted on left) – 1 No.
- White bed sheets (single) and
- White pillow cover – 2 Each
- White Shorts Terry Cotton – 1 Pair
- Lock Medium Size – 2 Nos.
- Airbag/Suitcase (Optional) – as per requirement
(b) Gentlemen Cadets (GCs)
- Terry Cotton White Trousers – 1 No.
- White Terry Cotton Shorts – 1 No. – Take 4/5 No*
- White Shirts (full sleeved with one pocket) – 2 Nos. (with No pocket and No design, Plain and Simple)
- Black Terry Cotton Trousers (with two pleats and loops)- 2 Nos. (with No pleats and No loops)
- Sleeping Suit – 2 Nos. (Don’t take, not reqd)
- Black Shoes – 1 Pair
- Black Socks (Cotton) – 2 Pairs (4 Pairs)
- White Socks (Cotton) – 3 Pairs
- White PT Shoes (Plain without any design) – 1 Pair
- Bathroom Slippers – 1 Pair
- Vests (Sandow), underwear – 6 Sets. (12 Sets.)(Vests should not have logo visible in front/back)
- Handkerchief – 12 Nos.
- Bath Towel (White) large – 2 Nos. (1 No)
- White Bed Sheet (single) and white pillow covers – 2 Each (1 Sheet and 2 Covers)
- Personal toilet requisites like soap, toothpaste,toothbrush, hair oil, shampoo etc.
- Black box size 75 × 45 × 30 cms (with name painted in white on left) – 1 No.
- Lock Medium Size – 2 Nos. (2 Big and 2 Small)
- Turbans (For Sikh GCs.) – 8 Nos. (two each in Maroon, OTA Grey and OG and two in black.
- Fifty Red Colour (For Sikh GCs.) – 4 Nos.
- Patka Black (For Sikh GCs.) – 4 Nos.
- Airbag/Suitcase (Optional) – As per requirement. (1 No.)
You are forbidden to bring any of the following with you :-
- Dogs or other pets.
No pets!
- Radio Sets(really?), TV Sets, Music System. Tape Recorders/2 in 1 of maximum 16 watt power output are permitted to be kept by GCs at their own risk.
- Motor cycles, bicycles or car.
- Private Servants.
- Wines and spirits.
- Articles of value or jewellery.
- Any type of weapons/ammunition.
- Mobile/Cell Phone.
Latest Joining instructions for OTA/IMA & NDA-
Download Joining Instructions for OTA – Click Here
Download Joining Instructions for IMA – Click Here
Download Joining Instructions for NDA – Click Here
*(Text in Red is the amendment told by the cadets from academy.)
If you feel that there are anymore changes to be made, then do drop a comment.
Sonusmac 
After joining OTA is it cumpulsory for LCs to cut their hairs?
Which type of phone can I take to IMA?
Can I take the one with camera? Or only basic phone without camera.
Also, please tell me about physical aspects. I am unable to do all that which are prerequisite before joining. Will it be impossible during training or will they make me strong over the span of 1 year.
You cannot keep phones during training in IMA. If you take it, it will be deposited and kept away from you.
Physical activity – For your good, I would suggest you start training yourself. Go swimming, running and do body weight exercises(Push-up, Sit-ups, Rope Climbing, etc). It would be easier to train in academy if you are in good shape beforehand, no doubt during training you will become strong.
Hey people. Just one thing. Are cadets in OTA allowed to take medicines with them?
Thank you
Yes, you can take medicines along with you.
I need to know Everything about Indian Army.So,I came here
Can we really take mp3 players or ipod’s alongwith earphones to the academy as it’s written in the joining instructions.
Hi Nitesh. I am a cadet of 3rd term in the Academy. I keep a smart phone, a laptop and a speaker set as well. U can bring whatever u want to, just don’t get caught. Simple.
Well than its gonna be a treat for all aspiring candidates like me.But what will be the consequences if you get CAUGHT!!!!!
You don’t wanna face the consequences, it includes physical punishment and many extra runs during afternoon when others will be sleeping.
And mental punishment😂
That is at the minimum. You might also get relegated, i.e. repeating the term again. Anyhow, ground reality is around 90% of us keep it.
my dear don,t go there if you are not mentally and physically strong. they can punish you like an animal, to make you strong.
Hi,One officer who has passed out from the academy told me that.you don’t need to bring anything from home as whatever you will bring will be rejected at the academy.So it is better to buy everything readymade from the OTA itself.
Kindly tell me how much is it correct or should I do the same and come empty handed in the academy?
He said that because he went wrongly prepared. Don’t go completely empty handed. Follow the guidelines given above and you should be fine.
what if we want to contact a gc, can you write letter to them ?? if yes, at which address should the letter be posted ??
You can write a letter. Address will be of the Academy in which he is getting trained. Obviously, you will have to mention his Name & other particulars(only he can tell you).
At least they should allow Mobile phones.
It’s digital India yaar…
Mobiles(basic phones only like Nokia 1100) are allowed in IMA but in OTA mobile phone are still banned. Maybe due to less training time period, they don’t want cadets to get distracted.
Which bicycles are given on joining the academy?
Atlas.
Hi Sonu. I’ll be joining IMA this July. Can you tell me the documents that are to be submitted there. The link you’ve given on this page doesn’t seems to be leading anywhere.
Hi mayank,
Take all your marks cards, passing certificates, sports certificate, pan card, adhar card along with two attested(by gazetted officer) copies.
Latest Photos and indemnity bond as well.
😉
now allowed ! i guess ?
By the way do we really need to carry four to five white shorts?
Yes… Because one day of Physical training in morning leaves one short very dirty. One gets dirty in the evening/night while doing extra PT. So yeah if you don’t want to sit and wash every night(you don’t have that much time) better take 04 – 05 Shorts.
With regard to painting our name on the black box. Do we have to paint it on the top left of the box (ie. the lid) or on the left side of the box.
You have also mentioned in brackets that the pants have to have no pleats and no loops, even though the joining instructions specifies that it should have two pleats. Why is this so ?
Paint your name on the left bottom corner of front face(when you are facing towards box and you can see the lock bracket on the box). Don’t paint on left side or right side or back side or on top lid of box.
Joining instructions are old. No pleats and no loops is what is being used there these days. Thats why its like that.
mobile banned????
Yes!! Banned 😦
Omg ! All you guys are officers now
can u give detail about the black box to be carried – i mean weight, material etc.
Its written in post above, kindly read it!
(Black box size 75 × 45 × 30 cms (with name painted in white on left) – 1 No.)
Hey I wanna join IMA this year nd what is the procedure to join could u help me to clear my doubts coz I don’t know what to do after reaching Dehradun…..