Bangalore Military School

King George V (1865-1936) was the king of Great Britain and the emperor of India from 1910 to 1936. Though during World War I he had no direct responsibility, his duties took him to 450 military and naval installations, 300 military hospitals and to several other places for personally distributing as many as 58,000 decorations. It was during these visits that King George V was so impressed with the courage and fighting abilities of the Indian troops that at the conclusion of the war, he decided to set up some institutions for education of children of Indian Jawans. Hence these schools were named King George Royal Indian Military Colleges. Initially, these schools were opened between 1925-1930 at Jhelum, Jullundhar and Ajmer. In 1945 when World War II came to an end, two more King George Royal Indian Military Colleges were started at Belgaum and Bangalore by King George VI.[3]

With the nucleus of 100 south Indian Boys, 50 from Jullundhar and 50 from Ajmer, the King George VI Royal Indian Military College (KGRIMC) had its origin in Bangalore in 1946. During World War II, the site of present school was used as a convalescent home for British troops. In the beginning, the staff were entirely military personnel, with exception of office staff who were civilians. Lt Col RHD Ross of the 8th Punjab Regiment, later transferred to RAEC was the first Commandant. In 1948, Lt Col Ross retired and left for UK. His place was taken by Maj TW King the first Indian Officer in Command. Initially, all instructors were officers, but they were gradually replaced by JCOs. In Lt Col TW King's time civilian masters began to be appointed.

Main entrance

The academic block

Till 1952 Regimental Centres sponsored the sons of JCOs/ORs for admission to KGRIMCs. The aim then was to give education up to Army Special Classes and then make them VCOs. Some of them were also commissioned as officers.

In 1952, KGRIMCs were reorganised as residential public schools on the recommendations of a committee headed by Dr Hridaya Nath Kunzru. On reorganisation, public school education was, for the first time, brought within the reach of middle class. Admission was thrown open to sons of service officers and civilians as well. Instead of Army Special Exams, boys were now required to pass Senior Cambridge Exams. The motto then was 'Play The Game'.

In 1966, King George Schools were renamed as Military Schools. Affiliation to the University of Cambridge was replaced by the Central board of secondary education (CBSE). The motto of the schools was changed to 'Sheelam Param Bhushanam' which translates to 'Character is the Greatest Virtue'.

In July 2007, the school was renamed as Rashtriya Military School Bangalore (RMSB), to reflect the 'All India' outlook of the school.

Like all other Rashtriya Military Schools, Rashtriya Military School Bangalore is a Category 'A'(at Par with Rashtriya Indian Military College, National Defence Academy) Establishment under the direct control of DGMT(MT-15). All instructions pertaining to finance, training, admission and recruitment are received directly from AHQ (MT-15). General Officer Commanding, Karnataka Kerala and Goa Sub Area is Chairman Local Board of Administration.[4]

Admission to class xi

Students are not admitted directly to the school. Students aged in between 10-11 appear in CET for all military schools,[5] followed by interviews and medical examinations to join the school according to merit list (the success rate is approximately 1% of the total applicants). Further details can be found on the website of Director General of Military Training (MT15).[6]

Admission to class 6

Admission to class XI is based on marks secured in the X class.

Reservations

• 70% of seats are reserved for the wards of JCOs, OR in Army, Navy and Air Force including ex-servicemen. 20% of the seats are reserved for the wards of officers and 13% for the wards of civilians.
• 15% and 7.5% of the seats in each of these categories are reserved for SC and ST candidates.
• 10 seats in each Rashtriya Military School are reserved for wards of personnel killed in action.

Facilities for the following games exist in the school:[7]

• Hockey
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Football
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Badminton
• Lawn Tennis
• Table Tennis
• Swimming
• Judo
• Athletics

The school has a gymnasium. Mountain bikes have been procured for adventure rides. The school has roller skates and the cadets are encouraged to participate in adventure activities organised by the school. The school has been recognized by Sports Authority of India (SAI) as a Nodal Centre for Boxing. Regular training in boxing is given by them in the Old Assembly Hall.

Bangalore Military School is spread over 68 acres.[8] New buildings include Cadets Mess, Assembly Hall, Six class rooms complex and residential accommodation for Administrative Officer, RMO and two Master Gazetted Officers.

The school swimming pool, closed for many years, was renovated and recommissioned in January 2004. A new building for accommodating all 340 cadets in a single complex was completed in December 2006, on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the school. Accommodation for six Master Gazetted and six Assistant Masters were completed in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

A new building incorporating Physics, Chemistry and Biology Labs was completed in October 2009. The Chemistry and Biology Lab buildings are being renovated for Computer and Language Laboratories.

The school memorial

The school gives a distinct number to every cadet who earns admission here. A monument was built in 1998 under the patronage of the then Principal, Lt. Col. Charanjeet Singh Gill. The monument is the brainchild of the then Administrative Officer Lt.Col DPK Pillay who is an alumnus of the institute. On the memorial is inscribed every cadet's name along with their school number. The monument was inaugurated by Major General RPRC Naidu[9] who is again an alumnus of the school.[10]

• Gurbachan Singh Salaria, Indian Army officer
• D. P. K. Pillay, Indian Army officer
• Rajendran Christie, field hockey player
• Arun Sarin, telecommunications executive
• Navin Nischol, actor
• Dino Morea, actor
• Samir Monish Akber, Business Person
• Major Akshay Girish, Indian Army

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bangalore Military School.

• Official website