How to Join Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

Academy

The Officers Training Academy, Chennai (OTA) trains officers for the Short Service Commission. It was established in 1963. The academy is spread over 750 acres about 15 km south of Chennai, India. In 2011, a new academy was set up at Gaya. The 49-week course at the OTA prepares graduates for all branches of the Army, except for the Army Medical Corps.

History of OTA

In 1962, after the Sino-Indian War, the need to expand the number of officers was felt. Two Officers Training Schools (OTS) were established in Pune and Chennai to train officers for Emergency Commission into the Army. The Pune school had a short run and was closed in 1964. However, the school in Chennai continued to operate and in 1965, it obtained the sanction to shift focus to train officers for the Short Service Regular Commission.

The Short Service Regular Commission has evolved into the Short Service Commission. The school was granted permanent status in 1985. On 1 January 1988, the school was renamed as the Officers Training Academy (OTA), on a par with the NDA and IMA.

OTA Gaya was set up in 2011. It is located in a hilly terrain of Paharpur at Gaya. The first batch of 149 trainee officers underwent training in the academy during the period July 2011 to Jun 2012 and the first passing out parade was conducted on 8 June, 2012.

Short Service Commission Officers are trained here. When you are selected in the Indian Army for SSC, then you will get training here. There are four ways in which you can join OTA Chennai:

1. Through CDS Exam

Men and Women can join OTA Chennai for SSC Non-Technical Branch through Combined Defence Services Exam held twice a year.

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.

3. NCC Special Entry Scheme

Male and female Graduates with LLB / LLM with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 years service in NCC Senior Div. Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate are eligible to apply for this entry.

4. 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.