Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma's Review of Officers Training Academy's Advanced Initiatives in Chennai

Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, who heads the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), visited the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai today. His visit emphasized the Indian Army’s commitment to enhancing training standards and leadership development.

During his visit, Lt. Gen. Sharma assessed the academy’s state-of-the-art training facilities and modernization efforts. Founded in 1963, OTA offers a 49-week program that trains officers for Short Service Commission across all branches except the Army Medical Corps. The 750-acre institution has produced many distinguished officers, including those awarded one Param Vir Chakra and eight Ashoka Chakra honors.

A graduate of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, where he received the Sword of Honour, Lt. Gen. Sharma commended OTA for its progressive approach to training. He highlighted the academy’s incorporation of programs in emergency medical response, search and rescue, and hand-to-hand combat, which contribute to a well-rounded officer training experience.

This visit is part of the Army’s broader modernization strategy, bolstered by Lt. Gen. Sharma’s extensive background in counter-insurgency operations and high-altitude command experience. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his service.

The visit also supports India’s initiative to enhance international defense collaboration, following talks with Australian junior leaders on August 12. These discussions focused on exchanging best practices to tackle troop-related challenges. OTA’s robust training framework plays a significant role in such global interactions, boosting India’s preparedness amid changing security scenarios.