Cadet Imon Ghosh of RIMC, Dehradun from West Bengal has secured All India Rank 1 in the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA/NA) Examination (II) 2024, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

RIMC - Premier Feeder Institute for NDA.   In a historic milestone that underscores its unmatched legacy, the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun has once again etched its name in glory. The institution has added another feather to its cap by ensuring the remarkable success of 24 cadets in the Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews following the National Defence Academy (NDA)/Naval Academy (NA) Examination II 2024.

The Journey : RIMC to NDA AIR-1.  With a strong defence background and unwavering dedication, Cadet Ghosh’s journey is a testimony to the hard work and nurturing environment provided by premier military institutions like RIMC.

Hailing from Birbhum, West Bengal, Imon belongs to a proud Army family. His father, Havaldar Ujjal Kumar (Retd), served the Indian Army with honour, and his mother, Mrs Gargi Ghosh, is a homemaker. Due to frequent postings of his father, Imon studied in various schools across the country before joining Sainik School Kunjpura, Haryana, and later making it into RIMC Dehradun in Class 8. Imom primary reason for joining RIMC was to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.

NDA Preparations - The RIMC Advantage.   At RIMC, the environment naturally shapes your focus towards the NDA. Though there is no direct pressure to perform, however the ecosystem, its guidance, teachers, and structure makes NDA preparation seamless.  Imon credited his success to the well-structured support system at RIMC, especially the mentoring and internal preparation program led by Colonel Rahul Agarwal, Commandant, RIMC. We begin our focused NDA preparation from Class 11 and with guidance of experience teachers, they make the NDA written exam feel like a cakewalk. Furthermore, RIMC also conducts in-house SSB Interview training, which Imon described as a game-changer. Under the guidance of Colonel Agrawal, our SSB preparation was thorough. We are trained to take initiative, perform and communicate effectively—skills crucial for clearing the SSB Interview,

Words of Wisdom for Aspirants.    Imon had valuable advice for aspirants preparing for both RIMC and NDA. Getting into RIMC is tough, and you need good analytical skills and discipline. For NDA, a focused and disciplined mind is key. Scoring well in the written exam is possible if you stay dedicated.

SSB Experience.   For the SSB Interview, Imon emphasized the importance of real life leadership facing real life situations. Initiative and leadership qualities must be part of your daily life. These traits help immensely in the SSB. He also extended heartfelt thanks to the Col Rahul Agarwal, RIMC Commandant, Principal, Teachers, and NDA Cell for guiding him throughout his journey. Sharing his thoughts on RIMC’s legacy, Imon said, “RIMC is similar to any good school in terms of academics. What sets it apart is its singular focus on grooming cadets for the Armed Forces. That’s why RIMC consistently produces NDA toppers.”

He also brought out that being from RIMC brings its own expectations. “During my SSB, the Interviewing Officer grilled me more than usual. As an RIMC cadet, you’re expected to perform better and rightly so.”

Modest Expectations, Stellar Outcome.    On being asked about his reaction to securing AIR-1, Imon humbly shared, “I was expecting to be placed in the top 10 based on my written marks but never imagined I would get AIR-1. It was a complete surprise for me.” Despite coming from an Army background, Imon has opted for the Indian Air Force. “Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by fighter jets. That fascination never left me,” he said with a smile.