New Delhi: The Cabinet committee on security has approved opening of a Second Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Gaya in addition to one already existing in Chennai.

This is a major long-term step to obviate the problem of reducing the shortage of officers in the Indian Army.

The Army, through this academy is going to augment its capacity to commission more Short Service Commission (SSC) officers to fill vacancies especially in junior and middle ranks.

While the Gaya academy will commence training with 250 officers annually, it will be upgraded to its full design capacity to train 750 officer cadets in due course of time.

The academy will also train officer cadre from friendly foreign countries.

OTA at Gaya would have state of art infrastructure and training facilities.

The project would cost approximately Rs.360 crores and will offer better employment and economic opportunities in the area.