# Military Institute of Technology

The Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) is a tri-services training institution of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of India. Located at Pune, it trains selected officers of the three services of Indian Armed Forces and officers from friendly foreign countries for command and staff appointments. It conducts the Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) for officers Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Airforce. The institute has a faculty of senior officers from all three services and scientists who provide specialized training on technologies, military warfare, procurement procedures and operational logistics to the student officers. The course trains officers to handle senior commands and staff appointments in the future. On successful completion of the course the officers are awarded with a degree of M.Sc in Military Technology from Pune University. Officers in the service bracket of 9 to 14 years attend this course. Most officers attending this course are of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Major and equivalent.

## History

The forerunner of MILIT was the Institute of Armament Studies established within the campus of College of Military Engineering (CME), Dapodi, Pune in 1952. The Institute then only conducted the Technical Staff Officers' Course for the Army. In the ensuing years, several courses were added to the institute's curriculum based on the needs of the three Services, Defence Research and Development Organisation, DGQA, DAQA and Defence PSUs etc.
In 1967, the institute was renamed Institute of Armament Technology (IAT), and moved into the picturesque location of Girinagar, on the Southern Bank of Khadakwasla Lake; its present location. The institute is spread over 496 acres (201 ha) in scenic beautiful location, overlooking the lake waters, in Sahyadri hills. From the relatively narrow scope of Armament Studies alone in the fifties, the role of the institute was considerably enlarged by the Defence R&D Council in 1964 and further in 1981.
On the basis of accreditation by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Pune University recognised eight courses for the award of ME degree in 1982. The institute acquired the status of a Deemed University in 1999. It became autonomous from 1 April 2006 and was rechristened Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), a Deemed to be University (DU).
To have an institute completely dedicated to the needs of the three Services, a case was initiated to bifurcate MILIT from DIAT (DU), and the same was achieved on 19 Jan 2012. The major milestones leading to final formation of MILIT are given subsequently.

## Milestones

| Period | Milestones |
| IAS and IAT ||
| 1952 | Institute of Armament Studies at CME, Dapodi, Pune Campus |
| 1953–54 | First Technical Staff Course was conducted at Institute of Armament Studies |
| 1964 | Re-designated as Institute of Armament Technology |
| 1967 | IAT shifted to Girinagar, Pune |
| 1975–76 | TSC – 22 was redesignated Technical Staff Officer's Course – 01 |
| 1982 | Six courses recognized for award of ME Degrees by University of Pune |
| 1989 | Two new M.Tech courses added |
| 1996 | Institute of Armament Technology registered as a society |
| 1998 | Eight PG courses accredited by AICTE/UGC |
| 1999 | Deemed University status given by AICTE/UGC |
| 2004 | Renamed as Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT (DU) admitted first batch of PG students in June |
| 2006 | Granted autonomous status by Govt of India on 01 Apr and rechristened as DIAT (DU) |
| MILIT ||
| 17 Aug 2010 | In principle approval by RM for formation of MILIT (designated as MILIT Foundation Day) at Girinagar, Pune |
| Nov 2010 | Dr Salwan Committee constituted and recommendations made on the bifurcation of MILIT from DIAT (DU) |
| 19 Jan 2012 | MILIT established as 52nd Lab of DRDO with PE of DRDO and Implementation Committee constituted under chairmanship of Lt Gen Anoop Malhotra, CC R&D(RM) |
| 06 Feb 2012 | MILIT formally inaugurated in a military ceremony by Lt Gen AK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, GOC-in-C, Southern Command |
| Mar 2012 | Actionable instructions issued by Implementation Committee and transfer of assets commenced |
| 13 May 2012 | Technical Staff Officers Course (TSOC)-37 and Naval Technical Staff Course (NTSC) were among the first long courses passed out after formation of MILIT. Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha was the chief guest on the occasion. Rear Admiral AS Sethi, Commandant MILIT and other senior officers from the three services were present on the occasion. |
| 01 Apr 2015 | Constitution of MILIT as an AFTI under the aegis of HQ IDS |
| 18 May 2018 | Formation sign of MILIT was inaugurated by Lieutenant General Satish Dua, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). "The formation sign has three elements. At the base is a nib highlighting the significance of knowledge and the fact that 'Pen can sometimes be mightier than the sword', the interlocked three rings in service colours representing the synergy of the three Services, a gear representing technology reiterating our motto of "Victory through Technology" and flames that symbolise the zeal and zest (or even the fire in our belly) to work towards victory in all endeavours. The maroon background further accentuates jointness." The formation sign was designed by Mrs Radhika Rajeev Jadhav w/o Maj JB Desai (TSOC-43). |
| 01 Jul 2018 | TSOC-44 course was redesignated as Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC)-01 |
| 02 Jul 2018 | Air Vice Marshal Vivek Rajhans, VSM took over as Commandant, MILIT, Pune |
| 01 Feb 2021 | Maj Gen Hari Singh, VSM took over as Commandant, MILIT, Pune |
| 01 Jan 2022 | Air Vice Marshal V Rajasekhar took over as Commandant, MILIT |
| 01 Jul 2023 | Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria took over as Commandant, MILIT |

## Campus

The institute is located on Pune-Sinhagad-Panshet road on the Southern Bank of Khadakwasla Lake at Girinagar. There is an all-weather road between NDA and MILIT.
The campus is spread over 496 acres, divided into Technical Complex and Residential Complex.
* The Technical Complex is spread over 100 acres and houses the Academic Block, Administrative Headquarters, 51 Laboratories, library, etc. of DIAT (DU) and MILIT, Pune.
* Residential Complex is spread over 396 acres and has accommodation for 200 staff and student officers with the ancillaries like Officers' Mess, Officers' Institute, JCOs' Mess, MI Room, Sports Complex, CSD Canteen, Helipad, a market with a bank, Post Office, Gas Agency etc. Kendriya Vidyalaya and MILIT Tiny Tots Primary School are also located in the campus.

## Courses

In order to meet the specific and futuristic training requirements of Armed Forces, DIAT (DU) was bifurcated to form Military Institute of Training (MILIT), Pune. MILIT is mandated to conduct 23 courses of varying durations from three days to 48 weeks for the Officers of the three services.
* First Technical Staff Course was conducted in 1953–54, later the name of the course was changed to Technical Staff Officer's Course (TSOC)
* TSOC-01 was conducted in Yr 1975–76.
* On 1 July 2018, TSOC-44 course was redesignated Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC-01). The DSTSC-01 is the pioneer course of all Arms and Interservices mid-seniority bracket of Officers whose non-tech and tech phase commenced from 4 June 2018 and 2 July 2018 respectively.

## Events

To commemorate its 10th Raising Day, MILIT conducted a seminar on 'Space Security: National Security Challenges and Strategic Implications' on January 19, 2022. The proceedings were held online due to the pandemic restrictions, and witnessed around 400 online participants. The speakers and delegates included Air Marshal B R Krishna, Chief of Integrated Defence to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Dr V R Lalithambika, Distinguished Scientist and director, Directorate of Human Space Programme ISRO, Lt Gen Anil K Bhatt (retd), Director General, Indian Space Association, Air Vice Marshal D V Khot, Director General, Defence Space Agency, Major General Dhruv C Katoch (retd), Additional Director at Centre for Land Warfare Studies and Group Captain Ajey Lele (retd), Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis.
A delegation of six Sri Lankan Armed Forces officers were on a three-day visit to India as part of the 9th Army to Army Staff talks. As a part of their visit, they visited MILIT on February 11, 2022 to interact with the Commandant and faculty of the institute. The delegation discussed various training methodologies and technical studies undertaken, and they concluded the visit by meeting the Sri Lankan students in the institute.
On March 1, 2022, Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command visited MILIT to deliver a talk on 'Fleet Sustenance: Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Air Force'. They discussed the need for engagement with academia, local industries and start-ups to promote development of home-grown solutions. The importance of self-reliance and 'Atmanirbharta' was highlighted, citing the ongoing geopolitical crisis as a major reasoning.

## List of Commandants

| S.No | Name | Branch | Assumed office | Left office |
| Director and Dean, Institute of Armament Studies |||||
| 1 | Mr. P. Johnson OBE | | September 1952 | September 1955 |
| 2 | Mr. C. H. Smith OBE | | February 1957 | October 1960 |
| 3 | Air Commodore O. P. Mehra | Indian Air Force | October 1960 | July 1963 |
| 4 | Commodore M. K. Lele | Indian Navy | November 1963 | January 1964 |
| Director and Dean, Institute of Armament Technology |||||
| 4 | Commodore M. K. Lele | Indian Navy | January 1964 | December 1967 |
| 5 | Brigadier P. P. Singh AVSM | Indian Army | February 1968 | September 1972 |
| 6 | Dr. J. N. Nanda | | January 1973 | January 1977 |
| 7 | Air Commodore S. K. Nair AVSM | Indian Air Force | May 1977 | August 1979 |
| 8 | Rear Admiral S. S. Venkateshwaram | Indian Navy | October 1979 | August 1979 |
| 9 | Major General N. Subbarao | Indian Army | March 1983 | April 1986 |
| 10 | Dr. E. Bhagirathi Rao | | August 1986 | April 1990 |
| 11 | Air Vice Marshal U. A. Deshpande | Indian Air Force | April 1990 | June 1992 |
| 12 | Rear Admiral Ajay Sharma AVSM | Indian Navy | June 1992 | June 1992 |
| 13 | Major General A. P. Palta | Indian Army | July 1994 | July 1996 |
| 14 | Prof. U. C. Durgapal | | July 1996 | November 1996 |
| 15 | Prof. G. S. Mani | | December 1996 | December 2001 |
| 16 | Rear Admiral A. K. Handa VSM | Indian Navy | March 2002 | May 2004 |
| 16 | Mr. Y. B. Pathak | | May 2004 | January 2005 |
| 17 | Mr. P. Ramachandra Rao | | January 2005 | March 2006 |
| Commandant, Military Institute of Technology |||||
| 18 | Major General V. K. Passi VSM | Indian Army | April 2006 | October 2006 |
| 19 | Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Sharma VSM | Indian Air Force | October 2006 | March 2008 |
| 20 | Rear Admiral Rakesh Bajaj VSM | Indian Navy | July 2008 | December 2009 |
| 21 | Major General Ravi Saxena | Indian Army | December 2009 | April 2012 |
| 22 | Air Vice Marshal P. P. Khandekar | Indian Air Force | April 2012 | May 2014 |
| 23 | Rear Admiral A. S. Sethi VSM | Indian Navy | May 2014 | June 2016 |
| 24 | Major General Mukesh K Dutta | Indian Army | June 2016 | January 2018 |
| 25 | Major General A. K. Sapra VSM | Indian Army | January 2018 | July 2018 |
| 26 | Air Vice Marshal V. Rajhans VSM | Indian Air Force | July 2018 | January 2021 |
| 27 | Major General Hari Singh VSM | Indian Army | February 2021 | December 2021 |
| 26 | Air Vice Marshal V. Rajasekhar | Indian Air Force | January 2022 | June 2023 |
| 27 | Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria | Indian Air Force | July 2023 | June 2024 |
| 28 | Rear Admiral Nelson D'Souza NM | Indian Navy | June 2024 | Present |