Many defence aspirants want to know the complete procedure on how they can join the PARA SF in the Indian Army. We all know that PARA Special Forces is an elite force of the Indian Army and becoming a PARA SF Commando is not only challenging but considered as once in a lifetime opportunity. Indian PARA SF is one of the most prestigious special forces around the world, every Indian defence aspirant and serving member wish to join the PARA SF regiment and wear the iconic maroon beret and balidaan badge, but it’s not easy to earn the prestigious title of “Red Devil”. In this article, we are going to see the different ways through which you can join the PARA Special Forces and become a special forces commando in the Indian Army.
First, we need to understand that there is no special entry to become a PARA Special Forces commando directly, but many aspirants think that there will be a direct entry for the PARA SF where the army recruitment for special forces only but those who attain 100% marks in Physical Fitness tests and 50% marks in Written Test in regular Indian army rally are sometimes given an option to join the Elite PARA regiment, but they have to go through a different test process again to clear the PARA. No, Indian Army doesn’t recruit candidates for the PARA SF like Indian Air Force does it for GARUD Commandos. You can only join the PARA SF as an officer or jawan once you join the Indian Army.
How to join Indian Army PARA SF as an Officer
1. For gentlemen Cadets of IMA and OTA: Pre Commission. Volunteer GCs from IMA/OTA will be commissioned at the scale of two officers per battalion per year. These officers will be allotted a parent regiment by MS Branch.
2. For Officers serving in the Indian army [Post Commission] : Officers from all Arms and Services can volunteer for the Parachute Regiment subject to them having less than five years service on the day they volunteer, being in medical category SHAPE-I and being graded `EXCELLENT’ in BPET. These officers will retain their affiliated to their Regiment/Corps (as parent regiment).
Only special forces Officers and men who qualify the stringent probation training are entitled to wear balidaan badge. As for its significance well, it symbolises sacrifice balidaan padh.
You can write the below exams to join the Indian Army as an officer:
- NDA Exam – National Defence Academy
- CDS Exam – Indian Military Academy
- CDS Exam – Officers Training Academy
Also Read: 5 Inspiring Facts About Col Navjot Singh Bal, SC, 2 PARA SF
How to join Indian Army PARA SF as a jawan
Selection Process for Recruitment into PARA Regiment: With a view to recruit motivated and volunteer soldiers into the PARA Regt, following process would be followed with immediate affect
- Successful and eligible candidates ie. those attaining 100% marks in Physical Fitness tests and 50% marks in Written Test and are in merit will be asked to exercise an option of joining the ELITE PARA Regt by AROs just prior to their despatch. These volunteers candidates will be subjected to additional tests for selection for PARA Regt.
- These candidates who have exercised the option of joining the PARA Regt will have the assurance of joining the already allotted Parent Regt if they fail to qualify in the special screening tests for PARA Regiment.
- Volunteers will be subjected to special tests as stated below
- The selected candidates will be dispatched to PRTC. In case the selected candidates are not able to meet requisite trg stds at PRTC, they will be transferred to the parent Regt for further trg.
- The above mentioned tests will be conducted by the Bd of Offrs of the PRTC at the ARO location/station.
These are broad guidelines and will be refined once the process is set into motion.
A complete PARA SF soldier or officer must have advance knowledge on one or more skills as mentioned below.
- Demolitions
- First Aid & Trauma Management
- Communication
- Combat Survival
- Weapon including Sniping
- Unarmed Combat & PTKE (A Philippians Martial Art)
- Language Skills & Cultural Skills
About The Parachute Regiment
The Parachute Regiment is the elite main Special Forces/airborne regiment of the Indian Army. The parachute regiment consisting of PARA and PARA (SF) battalions is the elite volunteer force of the Indian Army. Because of its specified role, the regiment needs to be kept at optimum level of operational efficiency and physical fitness. Towards this end, this specially selected manpower should be comparatively young, physically fit and mentally robust, intelligent, innovative and highly motivated so as to successfully accomplish the assigned operational tasks.
- Regiment’s Centre: Bangalore with the training establishment at Agra. Recruit training is imparted at Bangalore whereas Para training is imparted at Agra.
- Regimental Insignia: An open parachute with wings spread out and a dagger placed upright, between the wings. The other badge, shown on the right, is used by the four Parachute (Special Forces) Battalions.
- Motto: Shatrujeet (The Conqueror).
SFTS – Special Forces Training School of Indian Army
The Special Forces Training School (SFTS) is located in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh. It is under the command of the commandant, SFTS, who is the Chief Instructor of the rank of Major General.
The School owes its origin to a humble beginning on 01 Apr 1993 where it was established as a Special Forces Training Wing (SFTW) to impart training to the then 3 Para Commando battalions. The aim of raising this School was to provide unique and specialist training which was not available in any other training institution.
Initially, Special Forces Training School was raised as part of Headquarters Special Forces of War Establishment.
The raising of this school gave a boost to upgradation of the parachute commando battalions to Special Forces which were capable of conducting a wide variety of strategic and operational tasks, both overt and covert, in war and low intensity conflict situations.
Some Badged worn by PARA SF Commandos
- BALIDAAN BADGE
- SHOULDER TITLE
- PARA WINGS
- REGIMENTAL BADGE
- HEADGEAR
- JUMP INDICATOR WINGS
- DIVING BADGE
- COMMENDATION CARD
- COMBAT FREE FALLING BADGE
- TIGER HILL BADGE
- CHAKRATA BADGE
- MEDALS & GALLANTRY AWARDS
- NAME PLATE
- UNIT’S INSIGNIA
- OTHER BADGES
Read More: Decoding The Badges of a PARA SF Commando
FAQs on PARA SF
Is there any special entry to join PARA SF?
No, to join PARA SF, you need to join the Indian Army first. Successful and eligible candidates ie. those attaining 100% marks in Physical Fitness tests and 50% marks in Written Test and are in merit will be asked to exercise an option of joining the ELITE PARA Regt by AROs just prior to their despatch.
What is the difference between Para and Para SF?
All Para SF soldiers are paratroopers but all paratroopers are not Para SF
What is the salary of Para SF commando?
Over and above the standard Army allowances which are authorised depending on the sector where an individual serves, a Sepoy rank soldier in the Special Forces unit will get Rs. 17,300/- per month as Special Forces Allowance and Rs. 6000/- per month in Para Battalion as Para Pay.
Can women join PARA SF?
Women can not join the PARA SF at the moment, but women can take part in Airborne training and mission, so they can earn the Maroon beret.
Do Para Commandos eat glass?
Towards the end of their training and before their induction as a Maroon Beret, these soldiers are made to eat glass.
Can TA officer join Para SF?
Yes, TA officers can join PARA SF.
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If for any reason only he did not get 100% marks in physical and he became jawan in any other regiments then he can still join para sf ?