The Indian Military Academy in Dehradun was commissioned on the first of October 1932. It is located about 8 km from the city on the Dehradun-Chakrata Road. Initially, it started with a batch of 40 cadets. The principal commandant of this institute was Brigadier L.P. Collins.
With the specific objective of setting up an Indian Military Academy, the administration acquired the erstwhile Railway University of Dehradun. Known as the Chetwode Building, it was named after Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode. He was the Commander-in-Chief of India at the time of the establishment of the Indian Military Academy.