The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute has been established by the government of Punjab, India, in Sector 77 Mohali. The institute commenced training with effect from April 2011.
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The institute aims to train selected young boys from Punjab for permanent commission into the armed forces through the National Defence Academy. The institute is designed to train 96 boys at any one time. The training period is two years. There are two batches of 48 cadets at a time trained at the institute.
Entrance procedure
There is an entrance test conducted by AFPI every year in January. It includes Maths and English of 10th as syllabus A merit list is prepared on the performance of written test and 150 names are short listed for the interview. After the test, an interview is conducted. The basic aim of the interview is to choose the best out of the good. There is no study required for the interview. In the interview general ability and mental level of the candidate is tested.Duration of interview is 1 day.Those candidates who are selected in the interview have to go for their medical conducted by the institute. Basic aim of medical is to check the internal disabilities if any. After the medical a final merit list is prepared showing the names of 48 selected cadets.
Eligibility
A candidate must have the following standards for joining the institute:
Squadron
After the admission to the institute, a cadet is given his squadron, ALPHA OR BRAVO, and a cadet number.
Hostel
The institute has its own hostel facility with 96 cabins, one for each cadet.
Training
The four major aspects of training at AFPI are:- (a) Academics - all cadets study Plus 1 and Plus 2 in the non medical stream (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English and Physical Education / Computer Science). For this purpose AFPI has a contractual arrangement with Shemrocks a local school in Mohali. (b) Physical Fitness. Cadets do PT equivalent to 1st Term NDA standards (Basic Tests); 2nd Term standards (Higher tests); and 3rd Term standards (Excellence Tests). Drill is also taught at AFPI. All important games are played to include Hockey, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Boxing, Lawn Tennis. Squash, Golf and Swimming. Shooting is also taught at an indoor shooting range. Equitation training is likely to be introduced shortly. (c) Personality Development and OLQ. Leadership, Soft skills, Communication skills, art of study, Know the armed forces, War movies, Debates, Group discussions, presentations, visit to military units. (D) Preparation for the NDA entrance test and SSB interviews.
Finances
All training and administrative expenses are borne by the govt of Punjab. Cadet only has to pay school fees for the school in which he is doing his academics.
Results achieved so far
In Mar 2013 the first course passed out. Seven cadets have joined NDA / Navac. In Mar 2014 the second course completed its training. 23 cadets are in the merit list for NDA / Navac. Joining instructions are expected by these cadets shortly.