The induction strength of the Academy remained fixed at 40 per batch per term, till the outbreak of World War II. During the pre World War II phase, the infrastructure and training facilities of the Academy came up in the North and South Campus. In addition, the Academy created its own customs & traditions for posterity.

     On 18 November 1934, even before the first course had passed out, the then Viceroy, his Excellency Lord Willingdon presented to the Academy the King’s Colours and Banner, on behalf of His Majesty the King Emperor, as not merely a mark of royal favour but also as an acknowledgement of sacrifice and common endeavour.  The King George V Banner replaced the Viceroy’s Banner as the banner to be awarded to and held by the Champion Company. The Champion Company was decided on the basis of performance in drill, PT, riding, swimming and boxing, whereas the Viceroy’s Banner was awarded for excellence in sports events, such as hockey, football, cricket, athletics, cross-country, etc. On 22 Dec 1934, 29 out of 40 gentleman cadets passed out and they were called pioneers. The Passing Out parade of the first course was commanded by Under Officer GC Smith Dun.

     Consequent upon the looming realities of the World War II, the Academy witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of entrants as well as change in their categories; even the duration of training for permanent Indian Commission officers was shortened to six months. Such were the exigencies of the new situation. Before these changes had taken place, 16 regular courses had passed out of the Academy. While 524 GCs were commissioned into the Army between Dec 1934 and May 1941, the number exponentially increased to 3887 between Aug 1941 and Jan 1946. The expansion programme at the Academy brought about a salutary change in the character and appearance of the Academy. In order to accommodate larger number of GCs and officers, additional land was acquired and a large number of temporary structures were built, some of which interestingly continue to be used till date. Certain parts of the Academy, known as East Block and West Block date back to those formative years. Later, East Block was renamed as Collins Block and West Block as the Kingsley Block in honour of the memory of the first two Commandants of the Academy – Brig Collins and Brig Kingsley.

     World War II came to an end on 14 Aug 1945 with the surrender of Japan. Second-Lieutenant P.S. Bhagat became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War II as an Indian Commissioned Officer. The character of the Academy riveted to its pre-World War moorings and the first regular post war course commenced training from 25 Feb 1946. In May 1947 the Academy had the privilege of receiving two stalwarts of the freedom movement namely Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. This historic visit imbued the officers and Cadets alike with patriotic fervour.

     Hardly the post war storm clouds had settled down and the Academy was preparing to consolidate, India was declared Independent leading to the sudden departure of trainers and GCs hailing from Britain and Pakistan. This momentous and fundamental change in the status of the country resulted in a corresponding change in the character and status of IMA. The Academy was faced with the stupendous responsibility to reorganize itself for a new role. Consequently, the command of the Academy was taken over by Brig Thakur Mahadeo Singh, DSO as its first Indian Commandant.

            At the time of Independence, the property of the Academy was divided between India and Pakistan. The Gentlemen Cadets, who belonged to the regions that became part of Pakistan and those who opted to go to Pakistan, left the Academy on the night of 14 Oct 1947. As a matter of fact, the first two generations of officers of the Pakistan Army were the products of Indian Military Academy. In Nov 1947, Lord and Lady Mountbatten visited the Academy to oversee its consolidation.