Being in the Indian Army is not just a matter of pride, but also a matter of privilege. It is a life beyond ordinary. Getting into the Forces requires passion and hard work. The Indian Army has a traditional, systematic procedure on the basis of which they commission young men and women as officers in the Indian Army. Mostly, it is a year- long process which includes an entrance exam, an SSB (Services Selection Board), a medical board and a merit list. Recruitment in the Armed Forces is on voluntary basis. It is open to all citizens of India irrespective of caste, class, religion and community provided the laid down physical, medical and educational criteria are met.
There are many different ways in which you can join the Indian Army as an officer. Here is a list of ten different ways to do so:
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NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY (NDA) – KHADAKWASLA, PUNE
Young, unmarried men can appear for the UPSC entrance exam while they are in class 12th or after passing the class 12th exams. The process of SSB, medical board, and merit list is followed once you qualify the exam. Cadets are trained here for a period of three years, after which they are awarded a B.Sc./B.Sc.(Computer)/B.A. degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. NDA trains cadets for all three forces- Army, Air Force and Navy. On passing out, they go for further training (additional one year) to the respective academies according to their choice of Force. Cadets are entitled to a stipend of Rs. 21,000 per month while they are under training. NDA has the finest faculty and infrastructure for professional military training.
Vacancies: 320, twice a year for all three services
Age : 16 ½ to 19½ years as on commencement of the course
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COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAM (CDS)- INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY (IMA)
CDSE is also conducted by UPSC twice a year. Unmarried, university male graduates or those in the final year of graduation are eligible to appear for this examination. The procedure for admission remains the same – the exam, SSB, medical, and merit list. At IMA, Dehradun, cadets undergo specific training for a period of 18 months. They pass out as permanent commissioned officers.
Vacancies: 200, twice a year
Age : 19 to 24 years
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OTA- SSC, CHENNAI (Men and Women)
NON- TECHNICAL
Unmarried, university graduate students can seek admission in Officer’s Training Academy (OTA) by qualifying the CDSE (without Mathematics) and appearing for the SSB and medical tests. Cadets then undergo training for 49 weeks at OTA to become Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs). SSCOs can serve for a period of 10 years, extendable to 14 years. However, they can opt for permanent commission after completion of 10 years or seek release after completion of five years of service, which is considered on case to case basis.
Vacancies: 175, twice a year (Female vacancies separate)
Age : 19 to 25 years
TECHNICAL
The Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry Scheme provides avenue for recruitment to eligible technical graduates/post graduates into Technical Arms. University graduates aged 20-27 years who have a technical degree (BE/BTech stream of Engineering/B.Arch, MSC Computer) are eligible for this entry. They may be married/ unmarried. The admission process, training period, and rules for SSCOs follow as mentioned for the non- technical entries above.
Vacancies: 100, twice a year (Female vacancies separate)
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UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME- UES
Pre- final year students in the notified engineering disciplines are eligible to apply for Permanent Commission in the Technical Arms of the Army as commissioned officers under the UES. Selection boards go to selected college campuses (Technical colleges) and conduct interviews for a screening process. The shortlisted candidates are required to undergo the SSB and medical examination. On qualifying, they undergo training for 12 months at IMA. Cadets through this entry are also entitled to one year antedate seniority on commissioning.
Vacancies: 60, as notified once a year
Age : 19- 24 years, unmarried
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TECHNICAL GRADUATE COURSE (TGC TECHNICAL)
University male graduates aged 20-27 years who have a B.E/B.Tech degree in notified stream are eligible for this entry. They may be married/ unmarried. The aspirants need to apply online for this scheme, referring to the official website of DG Rtg. The admission process, training period, and rules for Permanent Commissioned Officers follow as mentioned for the technical entries above. The difference between SSC Technical and TGS is that TGS aspirants are aiming for permanent commissioning and not short service. Their training is also at IMA, unlike OTA for SSCOs. Engineering graduates through this entry are also entitled to one-year antedate seniority on commissioning
Vacancies: 60, twice a year.
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ARMY EDUCATION CORPS (AEC)/ TGC (EDUCATION)
Postgraduate male aspirants may apply for TGC Education scheme and join the Army Education Corps. Those holding an M.A/M.Sc degree in 1st or 2nd division in notified subjects from recognised university are eligible for this purpose. The aspirant may be married/ unmarried. Training for the same takes place at IMA, Dehradun.
Vacancies: 20, twice a year
Age : 23 to 27 years
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SSC- JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL (JAG)- Men and Women
The Indian Army has a separate JAG branch which consists of legally qualified army officers. JAG officers provide legal help to the military in all aspects, in particular advising the presiding officers of courts-martial on military law. Law graduates with an LLB with 55% marks and registered with Bar Council of India/State can apply for this scheme. Eligible candidates are called for direct SSB interview and medical test, thereafter. It is a Short Service Commission Entry wherein suitable candidates can opt for Permanent Commission.
Vacancies: 10, twice a year
Age : 21 to 27 years
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SSC- NATIONAL CADET CORPS (NCC)- Men and Women
Under the Special Entry Scheme, unmarried university graduates possessing NCC ‘C’ Certificate with minimum ‘B’ grade and 50% aggregate marks in graduation examination are eligible to apply for Short Service Commission. Final year students are also eligible, provided they secure an aggregate of 50% by the end of third year. These cadets are exempted from written examination conducted by the UPSC and are directly put through the SSB interview followed by a medical board. To apply for this, eligible candidates need to apply through NCC Group Headquarters at the State level. After Screening by respective Group Headquarters, Directorate General of NCC forwards the applications of eligible cadets to the Recruiting Directorate of Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army). The training before commissioning takes 49 weeks at OTA, Chennai.
Vacancies: 50, twice a year (female vacancies separate)
Age : 19 to 25 years
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ARMY MEDICAL CORPS (AMC)
If you are interested in becoming a doctor in the India Army, there are two ways to go about it:
- You can apply to the Armed Forces Medical College or AFMC, in accordance with the institution’s eligibility and conditions. The College provides its students not only a medical degree, but also direct commission into the Indian Army.
- Male/female graduates who have passed their final MBBS examination in first or second attempt, and completed internship are eligible to apply for SSC. The applicant must have permanent registration from any State Medical Council/MCI. Post graduate degree/diploma holders i.e. MD/MS/MCH/DM/DNB/DLO/DOMS/DA may also apply. Eligible candidates will be subjected to an interview by a Board of Officers to assess their suitability and merit, and the Medical Examination test. Acceptance is subject to the final merit list. On completion of two years of service, SSCOs can apply for Departmental Permanent Commission provided they have not attained the age of 30 years. An officer can apply for postgraduate course on completion of two years of service after grant of permanent commission.
Vacancies: 300, with a maximum strength of 50 for women
Age : Not exceeding 45 years
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MISCELLANEOUS ENTRIES
Apart from the mainstream schemes above, the Indian Army has special schemes such as APS (Army Postal Service), TA (Territorial Army), RVC (Remount Veterinary Corps), and AMC Non- Technical entries.
Army personnel serving in ranks other than that of an officer’s, can also seek commission as an officer as long as they are eligible based on their period of service, and qualify according to the admission procedure. These Service Entry schemes include- ACC (Army Cadet College), PC SL (Permanent Commission Special List), and SCO (Special Commissioned Officers).
Information on all the above miscellaneous schemes is available on the official DG Rtg website.
