So you wanna be an Army man? or an Air Force pilot? or a para commando or a naval officer? You’ve got the spirit, and the enthusiasm, but don’t know where to start? Fret no more. Just read on.
There are various entries through which you can join the forces. Let’s discuss each type of entry, and shed some light on them.
1. Entry through NDA (For High School Graduates)
This is still the most common and the most preferredentry into the forces. The NDA is the most prestigious institution in the country. The officers commissioned from the NDA get the highest respect during and after the completion of course. NDA graduated officers have a higher chances of getting promoted to higher ranks, and they are always treated with respect even if their rank is lower. It is said that the NDA graduate is the REAL army man, the rest are just men.
The NDA entry is open twice a year.
Form availability – Mar and Oct Notified by UPSC
Vacancies Per Course – 300 (195 Army, 66 Air Force, 39 Navy)
The requirements for entry into NDA is as follows:
Age – 16 ½ to 19 yrs(at the day the course is expected to begin)
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jul for Dec Course and 2nd Jul to 1st Jan for Jul Course
Qualification – 12th Class of 10+2 for Army and with Physics and Maths for AF/Navy
Marital Status – Unmarried
Application to be Received by – 10-15 Nov for Jan Course and 10-15 Apr for Jul Course
Likely SSB Date – Sep to Oct and Jan to Apr(SSB can sometimes get very delayed, so this is just for reference)
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – NDA , Khadakwasla, Pune
Duration of Training – 3 Yrs at NDA and then 1 Yrs at IMA, Dehradun
2. Technical Entry Scheme (For High School Science Graduates)
This is a fairly new entry scheme which allows Non-Med students to apply for Army to serve in Science specific units such as EME, MES and SIGNALS. The advantage with TES is that the student doesn’t need to opt for BSc or BA at NDA, but rather attend Arms training first at IMA for 1 year, and then move to Army Institute of Technology for a B.Tech graduation. The graduation gets completed at different locations depending on the specialization.
Only students with more than 70% aggregate in PCM can apply for TES scheme, but usually only the students with over 80% get call letters. Another advantage of TES is that the students don’t need to sit for written exams, they directly attend the SSB interview. So they have a higher chance to make it if they are called for the interview.
Once the candidate completes 3 years of his engineering and 1 year of arms training, he is commissioned into the army and receives his regular pay, and completes the final year as an officer.
The TES entry is open twice a year.
Vacancies Per Course – 85
Form availability – Apr and Sep Notified by Additional Directorate General of Recruiting
The requirements for entry into TES is as follows:
Age – 16 ½ to 19 yrs
ie. Born Between 1st Jul to 1st Jul for Jan Course and 1st Jan to 1 Jan for Jul Course
Qualification – 10+2 Physics, Chemistry & Maths (aggregate 70% and above to apply)
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – 30 Jun and 31 Oct
Likely SSB Date – Aug to Oct and Feb to Apr
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – IMA Dehradun
Duration of Training – 5 Yrs (1 Yrs IMA & 4 Yrs CTWS) Permanent Commission after 4 Yrs
3. Indian Military Academy (For Graduates)
This is an entry scheme for the graduates. Graduates from any background and stream can opt for it provided they have a degree and not a diploma. This is the preferred entry for students who had age problems and missed the NDA entry. This is also one of the easier ways to enter the forces as the training in IMA is only for a year. Candidates need to appear for the CDS exam, the selected candidates appear for the SSB followed by merit selection.
Just like other entries, IMA entry is also open twice a year.
Vacancies Per Course – 250
Form availability – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct
The requirements for entry into IMA is as follows:
Age – 19 to 24 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Jan Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course.
Qualification – Graduation from Recognized University.
Marital Status – Unmarried
Application to be Received by – May and Oct
Likely SSB Date – Sep / Oct and Mar / Apr
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – IMA Dehradun
Duration of Training – 1½ Yrs
4. Technical Graduate Commission (Engineers)
This is the entry for graduate engineers who want to work in the technical units of the Army just like the TES candidates.
Just like other entries, TGC entry is also open twice a year.
Vacancies Per Course – Depends, usually 50
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr and Oct
The requirements for entry into IMA is as follows:
Age – 20 to 27 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Jan Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course
Qualification – BE / B Tech in notified streams of Engineers
Marital Status – Unmarried / Married
Application to be Received by – Apr / May and Oct / Nov
Likely SSB Date – Mar / Apr and Sep / Oct
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – IMA
Duration of Training – One Year
5. Short Service Commission (For graduates who want to serve for 5 to 10 years)
This is the most flexible entry scheme which allows the candidates to work for 5 years, at the end of which the officers get 3 options:
– To retire
– To extend the service to 10 years
– To opt for Permanent commission
Another option ie. service up to 15 years will soon be available to candidates. SSC is also the option forfemale candidates, as female candidates can also apply for SSC. There are several types of entries in SSC. They are:
– SSC Technical for Men
– SSC Non Technical for Men
– SSC Technical for Women
– SSC Non Technical for Women
The requirements for each of these types of entries are different, and are listed below:
SSC Technical for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 50
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr and Oct
Age – 20 to 27 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Apr to 1st Apr for Apr Course. 2nd Oct to 1st Oct for Oct Course.
Qualification – Engineering Degree in notified discipline
Marital Status – Un Married / Married
Application to be Received by – Apr / May and Oct / Nov
Likely SSB Date – Dec-Jan and Jun-Jul
Date Commencement of Training – Apr and Oct
Training Academy – OTA Chennai
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
SSC Non Technical for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 175
Form availability – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct
Age – 19 to 25 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Apr Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Oct Course.
Qualification – Graduation from Recognized University.
Marital Status – Un Married / Married
Application to be Received by – May and Oct
Likely SSB Date – Oct / Nov and July / Aug
Date Commencement of Training – Apr and Oct
Training Academy – OTA Chennai
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
SSC Technical for Women
Vacancies Per Course – Depends(Usually 50)
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Dec/Jan and Jun / Jul
Age – 19 to 25 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Apr to 1st Apr for Apr Course. 2nd Oct to 1st Oct for Oct Course.
Qualification – Engineering Degree in notified discipline
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – Feb / Mar and Jul / Aug
Likely SSB Date – Nov to Jan for Apr Course and May to July for Oct Course
Date Commencement of Training – Oct and Apr
Training Academy – OTA Chennai
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
SSC Non Technical for Women
Vacancies Per Course – 175
Form availability – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct
Age – 19 to 25 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Apr Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Oct Course.
Qualification – Graduation / Post Graduation from Recognized University.
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – May and Oct
Likely SSB Date – Apr and Oct / Nov
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – OTA Chennai
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
6. Technical Graduate Scheme (For teachers)
The Post Graduates who are looking for a job in the forces can opt for TGC also. They will be employed in the teaching services at various institutes, academies, and schools built by the army. Some of the candidates also get to train the army men at using technical equipment.
Vacancies Per Course – Depends
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr and Oct
Age – 23 to 27 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Jan Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course
Qualification – MA / MSC in 1st or 2nd division in notified subjects from recognized university
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – Apr / May and Oct / Nov
Likely SSB Date – Mar / Apr and Sep / Oct
Date Commencement of Training – Jan and Jul
Training Academy – IMA
Duration of Training – One Year
7. University Entry Scheme (For final year Engineer Students)
The Final year students doing their engineering can opt for UES in their third year, and instead of attending their 4th years at their college, they get to train in Army specific technologies in their 4th year. It is also a very lucrative entry scheme for candidates, but it is being said that Army is planning to stop this mode of recruitment.
Vacancies Per Course – 60
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May
Age – 19 to 25 yrs for Final Year, 18 to 24 yrs for Pre Final Year
ie. Born Between 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course.
Qualification – Final and Pre Final year students of Engineering Degree Course
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – 31 Jul
Likely SSB Date – Jan to Mar for final year Aug to Oct for Pre final year
Date Commencement of Training – Jul
Training Academy – IMA
Duration of Training – One Year
8.NCC Entry (For NCC Cadets)
NCC cadets also have a special entry scheme for them. Both men and women can join the forces through NCC.
Requirements for Men:
Vacancies Per Course – 50
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr / Oct
Age – 19 to 25 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Apr Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Oct Course.
Qualification – Graduate in any field with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 Yrs service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam.
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – Oct / Nov and Apr / May through NCC Dte
Likely SSB Date – Jan and Aug
Date Commencement of Training – Apr and Oct
Training Academy – OTA, Chennai
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
Requirements for Women:
Vacancies Per Course – Depends
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr / Oct
Age – 19 to 25 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Apr Course. 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Oct Course.
Qualification – Graduate in any field with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 Yrs service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam.
Marital Status – Un Married
Application to be Received by – Oct / Nov and Apr / May through NCC Dte
Likely SSB Date – Nov to Jan for Apr Course and May to July for Oct Course
Date Commencement of Training – Apr and Oct
Training Academy – OTA, Chennai
9. Judge Advocate General Entry (For Lawyers)
Lawyers too are welcome to join the forces. Their job is to fight cases for and against officers and jawans who face a court of enquiry. Army has its own courts and its own lawyers.
Vacancies Per Course – Depends
Form availability – Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch
Age – 21 to 27 yrs
ie. Born Between 2nd Oct to 1st Oct for Oct Course. 2nd Apr to 1st Apr for Apr Course
Qualification – Graduate with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State
Marital Status – Un Married / Married
Application to be Received by – Oct / Nov and Apr / May
Likely SSB Date – Jan and Aug
Date Commencement of Training – Apr and Oct
Training Academy – OTA
Duration of Training – 49 Weeks
Once the candidate appears for one of the above entries, they will have to appear for Medical Exam too. So I’d recommend everyone to get their medical done before hand to make sure they are fit for service.
In case any of the candidate can not clear the above exams or get through, and know he is medically fit, there’s another alternative for him. He can get recruited as a Jawaan, and he can appear for an exam after that, and withing 3 years, he will be promoted to an officer. That way, he can skip the training, and it would take him the same amount of time to become an officer as the regular candidates who appeared for the officer entry schemes.
