After the written exam, a RIMC candidate faces two more stages: a 50-mark viva voce, which is the RIMC interview, conducted with the state government, and then a medical examination at a military hospital. The viva needs at least 50 per cent, which is 25 marks, and the medical is a fit or unfit decision. Only candidates who clear all three stages separately can be admitted.
This guide sets the stages in order, explains who sits on the viva board and what RIMC tests, summarises the published medical standards, and ends with a document-and-fitness checklist for parents. It draws on RIMC’s admission and medical pages, the NTA’s RIMCEE-2026 bulletin and RIMC’s notification for the June 2026 exam, checked on 12 October 2026.
What are the RIMC selection stages in order?
| Stage | Who runs it | What it is | Rule | Timing for the December 2026 cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. Written exam | NTA | English, Mathematics and General Knowledge, 400 marks | 50% in each subject | 6 December 2026; result by 20 February 2027 |
| II. Viva voce | State governments, with RIMC | Interview of 50 marks | At least 50%, which is 25 marks | Tentatively April 2027, 4 to 6 weeks after the Stage I result |
| III. Medical | Military, Air Force or Naval hospital | Fit or unfit | Must be found fit | After the viva and merit list, on a call-up list |
| Final merit and admission | RIMC | State-wise and all-India merit lists, then joining instructions | Merit, vacancy and fitness | Before the July 2027 term |
The bulletin says it is mandatory to pass the written exam, the viva voce and the medical separately. RIMC’s order is viva first, then medical, which differs from Rashtriya Military Schools, where the medical comes before the interview.
How does the RIMC viva voce work?
The viva is held only for candidates who qualify the written exam. RIMC sends their list to the State governments after approval from HQ ARTRAC, and the date and place are intimated later, usually in the candidate’s own State. The notification describes the interview as designed primarily to test intelligence, personality and communication skills.
The selection board is described in the Regulations Governing RIMC. It has the Chief Secretary or another Secretary nominated by the State, two military officers of whom one should not be below Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent, the State Director of Public Institutions or Director of Education or a senior officer nominated by him, and, where practicable, a member of the State Public Service Commission. RIMC reserves the right to modify this. Wards of Central Government employees can take the exam and viva at the place of posting or the domicile State, but their candidature stays with the domicile State.
How can a child prepare for the viva?
RIMC does not publish interview questions, and the lists you see online are not official. The college tests intelligence, personality and communication, so the most useful preparation is ordinary and cumulative. Practise these areas in conversation, not as memorised answers.
- About self and family: name, school, hobbies, favourite subjects and sport, said clearly in full sentences.
- Why defence: the college advises only those interested in serving the Defence Forces to apply, so the child should be able to say, in their own words, why they want this path.
- General awareness: national symbols, states and capitals, defence ranks of the three services and current events, which also appear in the written General Knowledge syllabus.
- Reasoning and calm: small puzzles, picture description and simple everyday judgement questions.
- Presentation: posture, eye contact, neat, simple clothes, punctuality and politeness to every adult in the room.
Hold two or three mock interviews with an adult the child does not know well, and answer honestly. If you would like a teacher-led mock for your child, call or WhatsApp us on +91 70170 31757 for free counselling.
What does the RIMC medical test check?
Candidates on the medical call-up list are examined by a board at the Military, Air Force or Navy hospital nearest to their residence, under the standards in AFMSF-2 (version 2002). The bulletin says it is not possible to lay down precise height, weight and chest measurements, but the other medical standards are at par with those for the National Defence Academy, and the medical authorities endorse the candidate as Fit for RIMC. It adds that height and weight are largely hereditary, so parents of short stature should keep that in mind.
The visual standards are printed in the bulletin and on the RIMC medical page, which was updated in February 2020 and links a revised standards sheet.
| Check | Standard stated |
|---|---|
| Corrected vision | 6/6 in both eyes (best corrected) |
| Uncorrected vision | Not worse than 6/18 in each eye |
| Myopia | Up to -1.25 D, including astigmatism up to ±0.5 D cylinder |
| Hypermetropia | Up to +1.25 D, including astigmatism up to ±0.5 D cylinder |
| LASIK and equivalent | Not permitted |
| Colour vision | CP II |
| Other eye checks | Healthy fundus and media, full visual fields, good binocular vision and stereopsis |
Beyond the eyes, the bulletin lists checks for weak constitution or poor development, bones and joints, ears and hearing, nose and throat, heart and lungs, the digestive system, kidneys, skin and eyes, and mental health. It says candidates with epilepsy or enuresis (bed-wetting) are not accepted, and that remedial operations should be done before entry. RIMC also publishes a state-wise list of hospitals for the special medical board and for the appeal medical board, available from its medical page.
What is the parent checklist for documents and fitness?
- Originals of the birth certificate, domicile certificate, school studying certificate and, where applicable, SC or ST certificate, since the bulletin says documents are verified against the online application at later stages.
- At least four printouts of the NTA confirmation page, the admit card and score card, and six to eight passport-size photographs identical to the one uploaded.
- Access to the email address and mobile number used in the application, because all call-ups and joining instructions go there.
- A check-up of eyes, ears, nose, throat, teeth and weight, done months ahead so that minor problems can be treated.
- A record of any spectacles prescription, and no LASIK or similar procedure, which is not permitted.
- Travel and stay plans for the viva and the hospital visit. The bulletin says no TA or DA is paid to any candidate for appearing in the examinations, so budget for the journeys yourselves.
Do not treat the call letter as selection. The bulletin says candidates should not consider themselves selected until the joining instruction is issued and call-up notices are sent. For the written stage, see RIMC syllabus and exam pattern, and for dates and eligibility, RIMC eligibility and age limit.
What happens after the medical?
RIMC prepares a state-wise merit list and an all-India merit list from candidates who pass the interview, and the selected and reserve candidates are called for medical examination. Final selection is on merit, vacancy and fitness, and joining instructions go to the email address in the application. RIMC’s terms run from 17 January to 31 May and from 17 July to 30 November. For the preceding exam, see our overview, RIMC admission: process, seats and fees.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Questions parents ask us.
Can't find yours? Ask on WhatsApp; a counsellor usually replies within working hours.
Ask on WhatsAppIs there an interview in RIMC admission?
Yes. After the written exam, qualified candidates face a viva voce of 50 marks, which RIMC describes as testing intelligence, personality and communication skills. Candidates need at least 50 per cent in it.
Who conducts the RIMC viva voce?
It is conducted with the State governments. The board includes a State Secretary, two military officers, an education officer and, where practicable, a member of the State Public Service Commission.
What is asked in the RIMC interview?
RIMC does not publish questions. Expect conversation about yourself, school, hobbies, why you want a defence career and general awareness. Online question lists are not official.
Can a child with spectacles join RIMC?
The published standard allows myopia up to -1.25 D and hypermetropia up to +1.25 D with 6/6 corrected vision, and it does not permit LASIK. The medical board makes the final decision.
Is the RIMC medical before or after the viva?
After. Candidates who pass the viva and appear on the merit list are called for the medical at a military hospital.
Are exact height and weight standards fixed?
No. The bulletin says precise height, weight and chest standards are not laid down, but other medical standards are at par with the NDA's.
Where is the RIMC viva held?
Usually in the candidate's own State, arranged by the State government, with the time and place intimated to the candidate. The date is announced later.
Sources
Preparing for the written exam and the viva together? GS India Defence Academy runs classroom RIMC coaching in Dehradun with separate boys’ and girls’ hostels and a mess.
Admissions
