DSSC Crest and Motto The crest of the College depicts on Owl, which is the emblem of Minerva, the goddess of Wisdom. In Indian Mythology, goddess Saraswathi is occasionally shown on a chariot drawn by a team of owls. The owl is perched on crossed swords with the motto "Yuddham Pragayya" which means, "To war with Wisdom". Wellington : Location and Climate The DSSC is located at Wellignton, in the Nilgiris (literally meaning Blue Mountains), in the trijunction of three Southern states - Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Viewed from the plains, the Nilgiris appear enveloped in a blue haze, and hence its name. Wellington is connected by rail with Madras via Mettupalaiyam Coimbatore. The nearest civil airport is Coimbatore, 80 kms from Wellington. The famous hill resort of Udhagamandalam (Ooty) is only 15 kms from Wellington. It is connected to Bangalore by road via Ooty - Mysore (320 kms).
peninsular (South) India in 1947. By 1950 it was progressively transformed into a fully integrated Defence Services Staff College, imparting training to Officers of the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force, in the company of some officers from the Indian Civil Services, Para Military Forces and friendly foreign countries.
Organisation The DSSC, comprising the Headquarters & Coordination Wing, the Army Wing, the Naval Wing, the Air Wing and the Administrative Wing, is an inter -services training establishment. The Commandant, an experienced Lt Gen from the Army, is responsible to the Chiefs of Staff Committee through the Chairman of the Joint Training Committee for the training and administration of the College. For local administration, the college functions under Headquarters Southern Command. Each Service Wing is commanded by a Chief Instructor of the rank of Major General/Rear Admiral/Air Vice Marshal; Headquarters & Coordination Wing and Administrative Wing are headed by Brigadier General Staff and Brigadier Incharge Administration.
Colonels in the Army, Lieutenant Commanders to Captains in the Navy and Squadron Leader to Group Captains in the Air Force.
Composition of Course Presently, the course capacity is 425; Army - 239; Navy - 70; Air Force -78 ; Civil Services and Para Military Forces - 5; Foreign Officers from all services - 33.
The College enjoys international recognition as a premier military training institution of its kind in the world. A large number of developed and developing countries seek vacancies on the course for their defence officers every year. Many graduates of this College have risen to top positions in their respective countries. Duration of the Course Duration of the Course is 45 weeks, sub divided into six tutorial periods each of five to nine weeks. There is a break of two or three days after each tutorial period and a long break of one week (mid term break) at the end of the third tutorial, generally during end December. The course normally commences in the fourth week of June and ends in the last week of April of the next year.  Trishanti - Auditorium and Sandmodel Hall
Synopsis of Instruction Training instructions are imparted in national security and strategy, all types of warfare in different terrains; special operations like airborne, heliborne, maritime and amphibious operations, low intensity conflicts including UN peacekeeping operations, defence management; leadership; Military intelligence and administration in war and peace. Lectures by eminent speaker on various issues of geo-politics, socio-politics, Indian economy, science and technology and International Relations are also included in the course curriculum. Approximately 50 per cent of the time is devoted to joint syllabus and the remaining 50 per cent to the respective Wing syllabus. Guest Speakers Some of the most eminent pe0ople drawn from the three Services as well as Civil life, like Ministers, High Commissioners, journalists, leaders of Industry and commerce, University professors, scientists, Constitutional experts and Management executives are invited to deliver lectures to the students. On an average, 35 to 40 central guest lectures are programmed for every course. In addition to the central College lectures mentioned, the three Service Wings also schedule 15 to 20 Wing specific lectures each for student officers of their respective Wings. Ladies are also allowed to attend non-military lectures of general interest.
Forward Area Tour (FAT) During the course, Naval, Air Force, foreign and civilian student officers go on a tour of about 12 days to some Army formations and units at high altitude border areas to enable them to appreciate how the troops are deployed and maintained under difficult terrain and climatic conditions. Method of Instructions The training philosophy is based on the tutorial system and is founded on the principles of self learning and self advancement. The officers of the course are divided into syndicate groups of not more than 10 students each. A member of the Directing Staff (DS) is placed in charge of the syndicate. He is responsible for presiding over discussions within his syndicate and generally guides them in their deliberations. The DS maintains a close professional and social relationship with his student officers. For each new tutorial, syndicates are broken up and re-formed so that every students gets the opportunity to know and work with more number of student officers and DS. Besides tutorial discussions, the other methods of instruction followed in the DSSC are Indoor Demonstration and Model, Outdoor Exercises, Central Discussions, Group Presentations, Lectures and so on. Student officers often work in sub-syndicate groups for submission of written assignments.
Industrial and Demonstration Tour (IDT)
also get an opportunity to witness Naval exercises from close proximity during their 'Day at Sea' as also a display by the Air Force. These visits give the student officers a clear and practical insight into the capabilities and limitations of Indian Industry.
Research Study Every student officer carries out research on a given topic relating to military subjects, international relations or important socio-political aspects of national significance. A research paper on the assigned subject is submitted by every officer on the course. In addition to the individual research, student officers also carry out a research study in groups, known as Minor Research Project, and make a group presentation to the College in the form of an audio-visual cum stage presentation. The subjects taken up for study are broadly classified as 'Area Studies', "National Studies" and Military History.
Foreign Students Presentations (FSP) It is customary for foreign student officers of the Staff Course to give a presentation on their respective countries. It normally takes the form of script reading supported by a film, video clips, transparencies and so on. During the presentation, they normally cover the history, culture, political set up, economy, higher defence organisation, broad structure of the armed forces etc. The presentation is for one hour duration. Ladies are also permitted to attend these presentations. Training Aids and Production Facilities The College has a full fledged Production Department equipped to undertake all types of printing, cyclostyling and reprographic work. For conduct of training, the College has one state of the art auditorium, ten lecture halls, fix sand model rooms and 50 syndicate rooms. Every syndicate room accommodates about ten student officers. Computerisation has been planned and introduced in the College in a big way. Student officers are encouraged to use computers during the Course. Computer aided wargames are conducted at appropriate stages of the curriculum.
Library
Award of psc and M Sc Degree (Defence and Strategic Studies) The DSSC awards the symbol of psc (passed staff course) on successful completion of training. The DSSC is affiliated to the University of Madras which awards M Sc (Defence and Strategic Studies) degree to all students who qualify on the course Officers on the faculty of the College with aptitude for academic research can register for M Phil degree. The College has six full time and eight part time vacancies for M Phil. Three vacancies are also available to the College faculty for Ph D. Publications The College publishes a bi-annual tri service professional journal TRISHUL. DSSC Papers are published on new/current topics by faculty members from time to time. An in-house magazine 'OWL' reflecting the character and achievements of every staff course is brought out at the end of the course. The monthly News Letter ' The Hoot' gives opportunities to officers, ladies and children to exercise their creative faculties and expressive abilities.
PG Diploma course in Management and Public Relations for Ladies
The curriculum has been framed in consultation with the University of Madras. Examinations are conducted for the award of PG Diploma in Management and Public Relations, by the Madras University. Institutionalised Training for Officers' Wives The college provides an opportunity to the Officers' wives to undergo a training programme consisting of special lectures, workshops, demonstrations and presentations by qualified and eminent people in a variety of subjects ranging from personality grooming, child psychology, floral arrangement, financial management, yoga, nature cure etc. The college issues a certificate of participation to the ladies at the end of the programme.
Sports and Pastime Activities The Staff College has the distinction of having extensive facilities for sports and recreation which are fascinating by any standard. Some of the popular sports and pastime activities organised in the College are, Angling, Badminton, Cricket, Croquet, Golf, Riding, Hunt, Sailing, Squash, Tennis, Skeet Shooting and Staff College Amateur Dramatic Society (SCADS). A computer club has been organised to impart computer training to officers, their wives and children.
The College teams participate in annual friendly matches with teams of the United Planters Association of South India, High Range Club, Munnar and also with the teams of other Military Training Institutions, during the annual Industrial Demonstration Tour.  Tent Pegging
Other Facilities The College has requisite infrastructure and back-up services available within the cantonment to meet the administrative needs of all officers. Conscious effort is made to free them from day-to-day administrative encumbrances, by providing maximum possible services at their door step. Medical, postal, Canteen Stores Department and banking services are provided within the College premises. There is adequate residential accommoda- tion in station for all officers.Officers have been provided with civil P & T residential telephones.
The Wellington Gymkhana Club which is only one km from the College is located in picturesque surroundings. All officers of the College are resident members of this Club. In addition to indoor social activities, the club provides facilities like, tennis, billiards, cricket and golf.
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