Sainik Academy Mysuru set up by an ex-Commando brings out the best in Armed Forces aspirants

Mysuru-based Sainik Academy is successfully providing training for youths to serve as Agniveers in the Army, Navy and Air Force under the Agnipath (Agneepath) Scheme for recruitment into the Armed Forces.

This initiative offers a good opportunity for young candidates interested in a career in the defence sector. In the 2022 Agnipath Scheme rally, out of 23,000 applicants from Karnataka in Bengaluru Zone, 2,500 aspirants were selected for the written exam. Of them, only 271 candidates were selected as Agniveers and 72 selected candidates were trained by the Sainik Academy.

Being physically fit is one of the most important factors a defence aspiring candidate should have and it is not just a factor but it is one of the important phases every candidate has to qualify to get into the Indian Armed Forces. The training lays extensive importance to physical training and improves the endurance levels of the candidates.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, C.M. Sridhar, Founder of Sainik Academy Mysuru (SAM), said that he is an ex-Commando who has served in the Indian Army for 18 years and was involved in many Black Cat Commando Operations including the Mumbai anti-terror operation. “I joined the Army in 2000 after I heard a lot of inspiring and daring stories about the Kargil War and India’s heroic acts in defeating Pakistan,” he said.

He has also served abroad and on India’s borders with China, Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir, Kupwara and Rajasthan as part of his commando service. He hails from Chikkavaddaragudi in K.R. Nagar.

“When in service and during my leave, I used my free time to train children and motivate them to join the Armed Forces and used to spend time in schools, colleges and other educational institutions. Many of the students studying in rural areas do not have any idea on how to join the defence forces though they have a deep desire to join. I started by guiding them in the right direction by making them aware of the physical, mental and academic preparations.”

After retirement, Sridhar continued the training endeavour and started the sessions at his small plot at Belavadi village and founded the Sainik Academy on July 3, 2019. He constructed a small building there and started with just 12 students. “I began the training in open areas after requesting the owners so that the trainees get space. I even used to train candidates at Oval Grounds near Crawford Hall.”

“The first success came to the Academy in 2020 when 18 candidates (out of 26 candidates enrolled) were inducted into the Indian Army as soldiers. Later, 17 candidates were selected for Staff Selection Commission (SSC – Paramilitary) and five candidates were qualified for Karnataka State Police as Constables but the recruitment was cancelled by the Government.”

“Now 72 candidates (out of 137 candidates enrolled) have been selected for the Agnipath Scheme. “In addition, this year, one candidate has been selected as an officer (Sub-Inspector) in Delhi Police and one candidate has been selected as a military officer at National Defence Academy (NDA),” Sridhar said.

For 2022-2023, 7 candidates were selected for SSC.

“This percentage of selection is rare as no Academy in India is able to send five percent of their total candidate strength to the services. Presently, we are conducting training for more than 80 candidates across the country. Apart from the building at my land, I have rented another building for the stay of candidates. Four rooms have been taken on rent to train over 20 girl candidates at present,” he said.

Training is provided by over 22 staff from the Sainik Academy. Students are charged nominally, a coaching fee of Rs. 3,000 per month and Rs. 5,000 is charged per month for food and maintenance. Courses are conducted for three months. Physical fitness, written exams and food and accommodation facilities have been provided. Training is rigorous and starts at 5 am and ends at 10.30 pm. At the same time, even the food is healthy and nutritious.

The Academy gets students from all over Karnataka and even from outside States like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The Academy has so far produced 130 candidates for Army, Paramilitary, Police and also for Sainik School.

The written exam training is comprehensive with important test series, books and notes based on Agnipath exam pattern with complete details. There are 13 coaching professionals and lecturers who provide exam-oriented guidance to candidates under a strategic approach, short-trick approach and to-the-point approach.