Indian Military Academy, Dehradun Marks 94th Raising Day with Wreath-Laying Tribute to Fallen Heroes

The Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, observed its 94th Raising Day with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the academy’s War Memorial, paying tribute to the bravehearts whose sacrifice has long shaped the institution’s identity and traditions.

The commemorative event brought the academy’s history and ethos into focus, with the War Memorial serving as a reminder of the many IMA alumni who have lost their lives in service of the nation. The ceremony also reflected the academy’s continuing role in preparing officers for the Indian Army through a blend of military training, leadership development, academic instruction and character building.

Founded in Dehradun in 1932, the academy was established on the recommendations of the Indian Military College Committee headed by General Sir Philip Chetwode. The first batch of 40 Gentleman Cadets began training on October 1, 1932, and the academy was formally inaugurated on December 10 that year.

Since then, IMA has grown into one of the Indian Army’s principal officer-training institutions. Its training philosophy is rooted in preparing future military leaders through a demanding regimen designed to build professional competence, physical endurance, discipline and leadership qualities.

The academy’s motto, “Veerta aur Vivek”, meaning “Valour and Wisdom”, reflects the values associated with that philosophy. IMA’s honour code, warrior code and a long-established set of traditions continue to guide cadet life and training standards.

The War Memorial occupies a special place in those traditions. It commemorates alumni who died in action, and its sanctum sanctorum features a bronze statue of a Gentleman Cadet presenting arms with a sword. The memorial was inaugurated by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw on November 17, 1999, after the Kargil War.

Over the years, the memorial has come to symbolise the academy’s record of producing officers who have served in difficult and dangerous operational environments. Among IMA alumni are recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra, as well as several other gallantry award winners.

The academy’s place in India’s military history is also tied to the first batch of graduates in December 1934, later known as the Pioneers. That group included Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, General Muhammad Musa and General Smith Dun, who went on to become the Army Chiefs of India, Pakistan and Burma respectively.

After Independence, the academy continued its role in commissioning officers for the Indian Army. The batch of 189 Gentleman Cadets who graduated on December 20, 1947 became the first class from IMA to be commissioned into independent India.

The academy has expanded substantially from its original intake and today spans around 1,400 acres in the Doon Valley. Its facilities include Chetwode Hall, Khetarpal Auditorium, Somnath Stadium, the Salaria Aquatic Centre and the Hoshiar Singh Gymnasium.

Training at IMA includes physical conditioning, drills, weapons handling, leadership development and academic study. The curriculum is periodically reviewed and adjusted in line with prevailing national and operational requirements, and cadets are exposed to a range of warfare scenarios including conventional warfare, proxy warfare, low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency.

Cadet life at the academy extends well beyond the classroom and parade ground. Sports, adventure activities, drills and other demanding exercises are built into training, helping shape discipline, endurance and leadership.

One of the most closely watched IMA traditions is the Passing Out Parade, which marks the end of cadet training. The ceremony includes the presentation of the Sword of Honour to the best Gentleman Cadet and the final step into Chetwode Hall, both long-standing elements of academy tradition.

IMA’s reach has also extended beyond India. Over the course of its history, the academy has trained officers from several friendly foreign countries, adding an international dimension to its role in military professional education and exchange.

This year’s Raising Day observance therefore combined remembrance and institutional pride, linking the academy’s present generation of cadets with the service and sacrifice of those who preceded them. The wreath-laying at the War Memorial served as the centrepiece of that tribute, reaffirming the place of remembrance within the academy’s culture and traditions.

As the Indian Military Academy completes 94 years, its core values of valour, wisdom, discipline, leadership and service remain central to its identity, continuing to shape the officers trained at Dehradun for service in the Indian Army.