As per the UPSC Notification for Combined Defence Services Entry, candidates have to follow few instructions before joining the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

Instructions for candidate joining IMA Dehradun

1. Before the candidate joins the Indian Military Academy.
   • He will be required to sign a certificate to the effect that he fully understands that he or his legal heirs shall not be entitled to claim any compensation or other relief from the Government in respect of any injury which he may sustain. In the course of or as a result of the training or where bodily infirmity or death results in the course of or as a result of a surgical operation performed upon or anaesthesia administrated to him for the treatment of any injury received as aforesaid or otherwise.
   • His parent or guardian will be required to sign a bond to the effect that if for any reason considered within his control, the candidate wishes to withdraw before the completion of the course or fails to accept a commission if offered; he will be liable to refund the whole or such portion of the cost of tuition, food, clothing and pay & allowances, received as may be decided upon by Government.
2. Candidates finally selected will undergo a course of training for about 18 months. Candidates will be enrolled under the Army Act as gentlemen cadets. Gentlemen cadets will be dealt with the ordinary disciplinary purposes under the rules and regulations of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
3. While, the cost of training including accommodations, books, uniforms, boarding and medical treatment will be borne by Government, candidates will be expected to meet their pocket expenses themselves. The minimum expenses at the Indian Military Academy are not likely to exceed 200.00 per month. If a cadet’s parent or guardian is unable to meet wholly or partly even this expenditure financial assistance may be granted by the Government. Gentlemen / Lady Cadets undergoing training at Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy and corresponding training establishments in Navy and Air Force, in whose cases the income of Parents / guardians does not exceed 1500/- ( under revision ) per month are eligible for financial assistance. In case of parents / guardians whose income exceeds 1500/- ( under revision ) per month but does not exceed 2000/- ( under revision ) per month, the same financial assistance will be given in respect of all the sons / wards if there are more than one son / ward simultaneously undergoing training in one or more than one of the above institutions irrespective of the fact whether the institutions are under the same service or not. The immovable property and other assets and income from all sources are also taken into account for determining the eligibility for financial assistance. The parent / guardian of a candidate desirous of having any financial assistance, should, immediately after his son / ward has been finally selected for training at the Indian Military Academy, submit an application through the District Magistrate of his District who will with his recommendation forward the application to the Commandant, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
4. Candidate finally selected for training at the Indian Military Academy will be required to deposit the following amount with the Commandant on arrival :
   1. Pocket allowance for 1000.00 five months @ 200.00 per month.
   2. For item of clothing 2750.00 and equipment.
   3. Total 3750.00.

   Out of the amount mentioned above the following is refundable to the cadets in the event of financial assistance being sanctioned to them.

   Pocket allowance of five months 1000.00 month @ 200.00 per month