The fastest direct trains from Patna Jn (PNBE) are the 13037 Kumbha Express (5 days a week, not Tuesday or Friday) and the 13035 Upasana Express (Tuesday and Friday); both leave at 21:15 and reach Dehradun (DDN) at 18:10 the next day (20h 55m).
NDA coaching for Patna students
Live and train in Dehradun, the home of the Indian Military Academy. Students from Patna join residential NDA, CDS and SSB batches with hostel and mess on campus.
For Patna families
Everything that changes when you join from Patna.
Local facts for families travelling to Dehradun: travel, exam centre and schools.
No Patna route appears in UTC's published list, so the train is the verified option; check utconline.uk.gov.in for any change.
Patna was a UPSC NDA (II) 2026 centre, and a CDS (II) 2026 centre as well.
Nearest: Sainik School Nalanda (Bihar), about 59 km in a straight line.
RIMC's admission page says one vacancy per State is generally allotted, with up to two for larger States, and its visible text gives no Bihar figure. From the December 2026 cycle applications are online through NTA (exams.nta.nic.in/RIMCEE/), the written test is held at NTA centres and the age window is 12½ to 14 years.
Bihar Regimental Centre is at Danapur Cantonment, Patna.
Sources & verification
Facts verified on October 6, 2026. Train times must be re-checked on IRCTC/NTES before travel; road distance and drive time are routing estimates.
- https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-NDA-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf
- https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CDS-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf
- https://rimc.edu.in/admission.aspx
- https://rimc.edu.in/notice.aspx
- https://www.sainikschoolsociety.in/our-schools
- https://www.sainikschoolsociety.in/our-schools/new-schools
- https://router.project-osrm.org/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patna
- https://erail.in/rail/getTrains.aspx?Station_From=PNBE&Station_To=DDN&DataSource=0&Language=0&Cache=true
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bihar_Regiment
Admission
Four steps from enquiry to joining.
Counselling call
Tell us the class and the entry. We suggest the right batch and share the fee sheet on WhatsApp.
Campus visit or video tour
Visit the classrooms, hostel and mess, or ask for a live video tour if travelling is not possible yet.
Admission & documents
Fill the admission form, share the documents and pay the registration fee.
Joining day
Arrive in Dehradun; your room, kit list and timetable are ready on the first day.
Courses
What students from here join for.
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA and NA) Examination
For students after Class 12. Unmarried women can sit the same UPSC examination.
NDA Foundation Course with Class 11-12 schooling, hostel and mess
For students who have passed Class 10 and want schooling and NDA preparation in one programme.
NDA one-month crash course
A short revision batch for candidates who have already covered the syllabus.
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination: IMA, INA, AFA and OTA
For graduates and final-year degree students. Women can apply for OTA.
CDS Foundation Course
A longer, foundation-style CDS programme for degree students who start early.
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
For graduates aiming at commissioned entries in the Indian Air Force.
Services Selection Board (SSB) interview preparation
For candidates who have an SSB call-up or are close to one.
Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and Navy 10+2 B.Tech Cadet Entry: SSB preparation
These entries are shortlisted on JEE (Main) marks, so the coaching here is the SSB.
Military Nursing Service (MNS) B.Sc Nursing entrance preparation
For women who want to join the B.Sc Nursing course of the Military Nursing Service.
Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET)
For Class 12 students aiming at IMU programmes and a career at sea.
Merchant Navy entrance preparation
For Class 12 students exploring Merchant Navy entries through IMU and shipping-sector routes.
Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) entrance preparation
For students in Class VII who want admission to Class VIII at RIMC, Dehradun.
All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) preparation
For students seeking Class VI or Class IX entry to a Sainik School.
Rashtriya Military Schools Common Entrance Test (RMS CET) preparation
For students aiming at Class VI or Class IX entry to a Rashtriya Military School.
Agniveer (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Coast Guard entry preparation
For Class 10 and Class 12 candidates aiming at Agniveer and Coast Guard entries.
Questions from Patna parents
Ask on WhatsAppHow long is the train journey from Patna to Dehradun?
The direct trains take 20h 55m. They leave Patna Jn at 21:15 and reach Dehradun at 18:10 the next day.
Which days do the trains run?
The 13037 Kumbha Express runs five days a week, not on Tuesdays or Fridays. The 13035 Upasana Express runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. Together they cover every day.
Is there a direct bus from Patna?
We found no Patna route in UTC's published list. The train is the verified option, and a car takes roughly 13.2 hours.
Is Patna an NDA exam centre?
Yes. UPSC listed Patna for NDA (II) 2026 and CDS (II) 2026.
Which Sainik School is closest to Patna?
Sainik School Nalanda, about 59 km away in a straight line. A partnership school, Keshav Saraswati Vidya Mandir, has been approved in Patna.
Can we visit the academy before admission?
Call or WhatsApp +91 70170 31757 to arrange a visit to the academy and the hostel in Nanda Ki Chowki, Dehradun.
Admissions
