How To Join Indian Army
One of the most revered and coveted careers is becoming an officer in the Indian Army. Every year, thousands of Indians pursue the dream of serving their country as army officers
The Lieutenant rank is the entry-level for officers who want to join the Indian Army. As they advance through the ranks, they gain Captain, Major, Lt Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lt General, and General stripes.
Depending on their academic background and the commission they choose, defense applicants interested in joining the armed forces can choose from a number of admission plans. When used in relation to the armed forces, the word commission has a particular meaning.
It refers to the length of time a new recruit must serve in the armed forces. Both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission fall under this additional classification. Short Service Commission refers to a career chance to serve in the armed forces for 10 years with the possibility of an additional 4 years of service, whereas Permanent Commission refers to a career in the armed forces till retirement.
On the Basis of Academic Profile
The Indian Armed Forces provide graduate and undergraduate applicants with career opportunities based on their academic profiles. Both groups of candidates for the armed forces, including those who have completed their degrees or are nearing graduation, are eligible to seek to become officers.
The Indian Armed Forces provide a Permanent Commission to the majority of undergraduate applicants. On the other hand, graduate-entry are open to both permanent and short-term commissions depending on the preferences of the applicants and the demands of military duty.
Below are 10 Different ways to join the Indian Army as an officer
UNDER-GRADUATE ENTRIES to Join the Indian Army
- National Defence Academy (NDA):- Candidates between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 who have either passed or are scheduled to take the 10+2 test may register for the Union Public Service Commission’s twice-yearly NDA entrance exam (UPSC). Both male and female aspirants are eligible for admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy which is located in Pune, Maharashtra.
- 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) :-
Male students between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 who have passed the 10+2 exam from a recognised educational board with 60 percent marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are eligible to apply for this entrance. Prior to applying for the Technical Entry Scheme, those who wish to join the Indian Army through this programme must have taken the JEE (Mains) exam.
- 10+2 (BTech) Cadet Entry Scheme:-
Under the 10+2 (BTech) Cadet Entry Scheme, the Indian Navy also offers a fantastic career chance to enrol in a four-year BTech degree programme at the esteemed Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kerala.
Male applicants who are not married and have completed the 10+2 exam with at least 50% in English and 70% in the PCM stream are eligible to apply for the 10+2 (BTech) Cadet Entry Scheme. It is required to take the IIT JEE (Mains) test for the 10+2 (BTech) Cadet Entry Scheme.
GRADUATE ENTRIES to Join the Indian Army
- Combined Defence Service (CDS):- Graduate applicants who want to join the Indian Armed Forces can do so by taking the CDS test, which is offered by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year (UPSC).
The Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad and the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai all accept applicants through this entry. Female candidates can only choose the OTA Chennai, however, male candidates are free to enroll in any school based on their preferences and educational backgrounds.
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT):- Graduate male and female candidates who want to join the elite Indian Air Force can apply through the AFCAT as Group A Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
Candidates should make sure they meet all eligibility standards before submitting an application for the Air Force Common Admission Test.
- Technical Graduate Course (TGC):- Male applicants who wish to join the Indian Army may submit an application for the Technical Graduate Course (TGC) beginning at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. Male engineering graduates who are not married and are between the ages of 20 and 27 may apply for a TGC admission for a permanent commission in the Indian Army.
Candidates who are pursuing an engineering degree in their last year are also eligible to apply.
- Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET):- Male applicants who wish to join the Indian Army may submit an application for the Technical Graduate Course (TGC) beginning at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. Male engineering graduates who are not married and are between the ages of 20 and 27 may apply for a TGC admission for a permanent commission in the Indian Army.
Candidates who are pursuing an engineering degree in their last year are also eligible to apply.
- SSC Tech (Men and Women):- The SSC Tech (Men & Women) exam is administered by the Indian Army to determine which unmarried male and female engineering graduates are qualified to get a Short Service Commission in the Indian Army.
Candidates who have completed the required Engineering Degree course or are in the last year of their respective programs and are between the ages of 20 and 27 are eligible to apply under this entrance scheme.
- NCC Special Entry (Men and Women):-
Another route via which NCC “C” Certificate holders can obtain a Short Service Commission in the Indian Army is through NCC Special Entry.
Candidates applying for NCC Special Entry must be between the ages of 19 and 25. (Men and Women). A minimum of a “B” grade on the National Cadet Corps “C” Certificate Exam is necessary, as well as a degree from an accredited university with at least 50 percent of the requisite marks (NCC).
- JAG (Men and Women):- Candidates can apply for a short service commission in the Indian Army’s Judge Advocate General Branch if they have an LLB degree with at least a 55 percent overall average and are registered as advocates with the Bar Council of India. Candidates can apply for the JAG (Men and Women) entrance scheme if they are between the ages of 21 and 27.
Except for CDS and AFCAT, candidates taking the above-mentioned exams (graduate admission) are excluded from the written exam. Since they are graduate candidates’ direct entry, they are not obliged to take the written test.
