The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), is an Inter Service Category 'A' establishment, administered through the Director General of Militry Training, Army Headquarters DHQ PO New Delhi-110011. Its origin to the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, inaugurated on 13th March 1922 by his Royal Highness, Prince Edward VIII the Prince of Wales. It was then located on the premises of the erstwhile Imperial Cadet Corps ( also called Rajwada Camp), set amidst 138 acres of lush green countryside adjacent to Garhi Village in Dehradun Cantonment. During his address to the first thirty-seven cadets he said, "It is the first few blows on the anvil of the life that give the human weapon the set and temper that carry him through life's battles". The Prince also made reference to the old Indian tradition of "Guru and Chela". This relationship of mutual love and reverence has formed the basis of RIMC ethos. 
RIMC has a long history and rich traditions. Over the year the alumni has produced many leaders of society, both military as well as civil. Four chiefs of Army staff and one chief of the Air staff in India; one Commander-in-chief of the Army and two chief of the Air staff in Pakistan; scores of officers of General/Flag/Air rank, Commanding corps, fleets, wings and divisions and other distinguished appointments both sides of the border. Besides, many high civilian dignitaries like Governors, Ambassadors, Ministers and Captains of industry have passed through the RIMC's hallowed portals. Portraits of such luminaries adorn our walls at strategic places as inspiring beacons for young students of the day.
The purpose of this institution was to provide Indian boys with suitable education and training to ensure a high pass-rate for the Indians being sent to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, as part of the Indianisation program of the officer cadre of the Indian Army. RIMC was not, in fact, a College, but a pre Sandhurst institution run along the lines of an English public school. The British believed that for becoming an army officer, if an education in Britain was impossible, a public school education in India was an absolute necessity. The British believed that public school education was particularly necessary for Indian boys whose up bringing made them suitable for the rigors and self-discipline of army life. With this as the vision to lay the foundation for the selected young men to enable them to manage the National security affairs in later life. To become a feeder institution to NDA, NAVAC, and also enable cadets to apply for AFMC, CME & Technical entry (CTW) and any other schemes from Where Cadets will join the defense services.
The Rashtriya Indian Military College is an Inter Services Institute and a Category A establishment of the Ministry of Defense alongside institutions like National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Officers' Training Academy, Chennai, and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The College provides public school education to young boys in the age group of 11 1/2 to 18 years specially selected through an All India competitive examination. A dedicated feeder to the National Defense Academy and the NAVAC Academy. The college aims to send maximum boys to the NDA/NAVAC. Hence the stress on complete education and all round personality development. However in the event of a boy not joining the NDA due to any reason, the RIMC guarantees, through the five years of academic course, that he attains enough academic proficiency to get admission in any professional or any other college in the country.
Nested in the foothills of the Shivalik ranges in the sylvan surroundings of the Doon Valley, the RIMC has a sprawling campus of 138 acres; an ideal setting green and serene for developing young minds. It houses a mint township, a mini India with 250 boys selected from every state strictly on merit by a written examination, interview and a medical test.
The campus has quite a few heritage buildings in Tudor Style, some nearly a hundred years old. These elegant buildings houses the cadets in dormitories, with a mess and dinning hall for meals; the education block with spacious class rooms and well equipped laboratories manned by a thoroughly professional faculty, with a teacher student ratio of 1:12.5. Besides, it has a play fields, courts, swimming pool and all facilities for co-curricular activity.
Approx 25 Cadets are admitted every six-month. Candidates should not be less than 111/2 years of age or must not have attained the age of 13 years on 01 (Jan) and 01 (July) of the term they join. Admissions are made to Class VIII only. The Candidate must be studying in Class VII or passed class VIII from a recognized school at the time of joining. Application forms are to be submitted to respective State governments. Candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in an All India Entrance Examination held twice a year comprising a written examination consisting of test papers in English (125 marks), Mathematics (200 marks) and General Knowledge (75 marks), successful candidates are called for Viva - Voce test (50 marks). A merit list is prepared and those who qualify are sent for medical examinations. Those finally cleared are invited to join up.
The College provides education on the lines of residential public schools principally for boys who desire to join the Defence forces of India. Those who do not succeed in this aim or decide against it are well qualified to join a college or professional institution on graduation from the RIMC. However, the College advises only those to apply who are interested in taking up the challenge of serving in the Defence forces of India.
The prospectus for the RIMC entrance examination with sample question papers is available at a payment of Rs. 550/- (by Demand Draft) to be sent in the favour of The Commandant, RIMC Dehradun
The admission to the College is bi-annual i.e., in January and July each year. Candidates (boys only) should not be less than 111/2 years of age but must not have attained the age of 13 years on 01 January and 01 July of the term they join.
Note:- The actual dates notified, from time to time, by the Government of India, in all the national/leading newspapers will be adhered to.
Admissions are made to class I (equivalent to class VIII) only. The candidates should be studying minimum in class VII in a recognized school at the time of admission to the RIMC. They should also be medically fit for entry to the College, in accordance with the MEDICAL STANDARDS PRESCRIBED.
Generally one vacancy per state is reserved for candidates. However States like UP, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra which have large population, have up to 2 vacancies. If the selected student does not join a candidate in reserve from the same state joins.If there are no reserve candidates from respective states then reserve from all India merit joins.
For admission into the College, candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in an All-India Examination held twice a year. The general standard of questions in the entrance examination is of class VII.
There are two sections for the entrance exam :-
| A. | Written :- The written part of the examination consists of a test paper in English (125 Marks), Mathematics (200 Marks), and General Knowledge (75 marks). Candidates can appear for the Mathematics test in Hindi or English Medium. General Knowledge can be answered in English, Hindi or any one of the regional languages. To qualify, a candidate must obtain a minimum of 50 % Marks in each subject. |
| C. | Oral (Viva Voce) :- The oral examination consists of a Viva Voce test of 50 marks, which is designed to assess a candidate's intelligence, personality and confidence. |
The candidate can be withdrawn at any time on the request by parent or by a decision of the college at the rate of Rs. 2876/ Per week(plus the scholarship amount).