History of Army Cadet College (ACC)

In 1947, after independence there is no much difference between an officer and a soldier. The soldiers were then referred as Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR). The Meritorious Soldiers should get a chance to Become Officers and thus The College was Established to make Officers out of Soldiers. This college was established for those meritorious soldiers who are dreaming to become officers in Indian army. Army Cadet College was initially founded in 1929 in Nowgong, Chhatrapur dist., Madhya Pradesh, originally known as Kitchener College, which was in operation until 1942.

On 16^th May 1960 Army Cadet College’s 1^st batch with 90 Jawans started, which was increased to 475 Jawans in 1962. Since the Compound was small it was a need required to shift Army Cadet College to a New Location

Meanwhile, NDA, in Khadakwasla, started in Pune and in 1964, the ACC was relocated to Pune, to take over the campus of the erstwhile OTI-Pune .Earlier, the training was conducted for 3 years in NDA and 3 years in ACC then in IMA Dehradun with a graduate degree from JNU.

In March 1977, the ACC was moved to Dehradun and became a separate wing of the Indian Military Academy (IMA).The Commandant of the IMA became the new Commandant of the ACC. Again in 2006 ACC was renamed as the Siachen Battalion at the IMA. Comprising of three companies called Bogra, Kargil and Nubra. Every years, the Commandant’s Banner (similar to Sword of Honour in NDA) is awarded to the company which excels in various competitions like sports, academics, campus and debates between these three companies.Candidates applying to ACC should have completed their 10+2 education in any stream. The age limit for applicants is between 20 to 27 years, and both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. The availability (twice yearly) of application forms is typically in March/April and September/October.

The curriculum places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, physical fitness, discipline, and ethical values, reflecting the holistic approach necessary for effective military leadership. The academic component of the ACC program includes subjects such as military science, leadership studies, and strategic planning. Cadets undergo practical training exercises, field maneuvers, and simulated scenarios to develop their tactical acumen and decision-making abilities. Physical fitness is a cornerstone of ACC training, with rigorous drills, obstacle courses, and endurance exercises ensuring that cadets are in peak physical condition.

Eligibility For Army Cadet College

A candidate must have passed 10 +2 in any stream from any Government Recognized Board.

Candidate must have at least 2 years of service records in any of the forces at any post.

Married as well as Unmarried candidates, both are allowed to apply for this

Age ranging from 20 to 27 years,

Steps to Reach Army Cadet College

Step 1-Written Exam

Step 2-SSB Interviews followed by Medicals

Step 3-All India Merit

Any Jawan who meets this Eligibilty from tri services can apply only with the permission of his commanding officer. And the successful soldiers upon Clearing All the Above 3 Steps are trained for 4 years in ACC Wing which means Siachen Battalion IMA, Dehradun.

Training of Army Cadet College

The Soldiers are trained for Transformation into Officers for 4 years in ACC. The training is same as the NDA cadets were trained on 3+1 years of pattern, comprising 3 years degree course on science and humanities and last 1 year the candidates were trained in IMA as equal to the direct entry cadets for pre commissioning training. Degree Offered is of Prestigious JNU.