How to join Indian Army: Being an Army man is globally one of the most respectable job titles. Youths, who are willing to serve the nation, can join the Indian Army to prove their patriotism.
But joining the Indian Army is not accessible until you know how to join the Indian Army after 12th. So, we are here to help you with the same. Here, we have described everything in detail, how you can gain entry into the Indian Army. Read the following information carefully to join the Indian Army.
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How to Join Indian Army?
The Indian Army is offering employment in two different commissions: Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. And to understand the complete procedure of joining the Indian Army, first, you need to know about these two commissions.
Permanent Commission (PC)
Permanent Commission is when a person serves in the Army until the day he retires. The serving period of this commission is up to 60 years. You can also get early retirement.
Under Permanent Commission (PC), a person can enter Officer Grade, even after high-school graduation. Unfortunately, only men are allowed for this commission. And the training for this commission is conducted by joining NDA (National Defense Academy, Pune), IMA (Indian Military Academy, Dehradun), or OTA (Officers Training Academy, Gaya).
Short Service Commission (SSC)
Short Service Commission is a commission in which a person serves in the Army for a shorter period than the Permanent Commission. This commission’s service starts from 10 years and can be extended to add four years upon certain conditions.
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Now, let’s learn about the different types of entries you can get under each commission. So, here are all the details of all officer entry avenues that are available for all.
Officer Entry to the Join Indian Army
Below are the different Officer Entries available under Permanent and Short Service Commission as well. Have a look at the brief details of all the entries listed below.
1. Intermediate Entry
National Defense Academy (NDA) Entry for Men: (Permanent Commission)
- Anyone in Class XII, or completed, can appear for NDA Exams, which UPSC conducts.
- A total of 370 vacancies are there, twice a year, from which 208 are for the Army.
- UPSC conducts this exam and is notified in June and December. One can apply online for the same. And after clearing the exam will call you for a 5-day SSB (Services Selection Board), where you will have to remove the interview and the medical test.
- After clearing the interview and medical test, you will get the three-year training in NDA with a degree, BSc, or BA. Also, you will get one-year pre-commission training in IMA.
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- After all this, you will go through medical fitness tests as gentlemen cadets. And then you will be granted as Lieutenant under the Permanent Commission.
- Serves the Indian Army in active fighting service
- Age Limit: 16.5-19.5 years (should be unmarried)
- Salary: Rs. 21,000 per month
10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) for Men: (Permanent Commission)
- Anyone, who has completed Class XII with a minimum of 70% in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Maths), is eligible.
- A total of 90 vacancies, twice a year
- No written exams will be held. You can directly appear for an SSB interview. The application form for this, releases in May and October. You can apply online as well as offline.
- After clearing the interview and medical test, you will get five years (1 year at Officers Training Academy (OTA) and technical training of 4 years). There will be three years pre-commission and one year of post-commission training. After successful completion, you will also get an engineering degree.
- After all this, you will be granted as Lieutenant under the Permanent Commission.
- Serves Indian Army as the technical arm of fighting servicemen
- Age Limit: 16.5-19.5 years (should be unmarried)
- Salary: Rs. 21,000 per month
2. Graduate UPSC Entry
Indian Military Academy Direct (IMA) for Men (Permanent Commission)
- Recent Graduate degree holders of Final Year Graduates are eligible for the SDSE (Combined Defence Service) Exam conducted by UPSC.
- A total of 200 vacancies, twice a year
- UPSC conducts this exam and is notified in July and November. You can apply online.
- After clearing the test will call you for an SSB interview.
- Once the interview is cleared, you get the training of 1.5 years as Gentlemen at IMA (Indian Military Academy).
- After completion of training and medical fitness test, you will be granted as Lieutenant under Permanent Commission.
- Age Limit: 19-24 years (should be unmarried)
OTA Chennai SSC (Non-Technical) for Men & Women (Short Service Commission)
- Only Graduates from recognized universities can appear for the CDSE exam, which UPSC conducts.
- A total of 175 vacancies for Men, twice a year. And 12 vacancies for Women, twice a year.
- UPSC conducts this exam and is notified in July and November. You can apply online.
- After clearing the test will call you for an SSB interview.
- Once the interview is cleared, you get the training of 49 weeks at OTA (Officers Training Academy).
- After completion of training, the Short Service Commission (SSC) is granted. Captain (after two years successful commissioned service), Major (after six years successful commissioned service), Lieutenant Colonel (after 13 years successful commissioned service).
- Age Limit: 19-25 years (should be unmarried)
3. Graduate Non-UPSC Entry
Another way to join Indian Army is by NCC or JAG, which is available for both Men and Women. And both are Short Service Commissions.
Short Service Commission (NCC) for both Men and Women
- Graduates with at least 50% marks can apply. There should be two years of NCC Senior Division Army service with min. B Grade in the C certificate exam. Both Men and Women can apply for this.
- A total of 50 vacancies (4 for Women), twice a year
- Application forms are notified in June and December.
- Selected candidates will have to clear the SSB interview.
- After clearing the interview, you will get the training for 49 weeks at Officer Training Academy, Chennai(OTA).
- Age Limit: 19-25 years (should be unmarried)
Short Service Commission (NCC) for both Men and Women
- Law graduates eligible for Bar registration in India or any state can apply for this.
- A total of 10 vacancies (4 for Women), twice a year.
- Application forms are notified in July/August and January/February.
- Selected candidates will have to clear the SSB interview.
- After clearing the interview, you will get the training for 49 weeks at Officer Training Academy, Chennai(OTA).
- Age Limit: 21-27 years (should be unmarried)
4. Graduate Technical Entry
University Entry Scheme (UES) for Men (Permanent Commission)
- One, who is willing to apply in their Engineering pre-final year, is eligible.
- A total of 60 vacancies are there, every year.
- Notify in June/July.
- If selected, will be called for SSB. There will be no written exams.
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- After all this, you will be granted Lieutenant on Short Service probation until the completion of 1-year training at Indian Military Academy (IMA).
- After one year of training, the Permanent Commission (PC) will be granted with 1-year seniority post.
- Age Limit: 18-24 years (should be unmarried).
Technical Graduate Course (TGC) for Men (Permanent Commission)
- One, who is in the notified BE/BTech streams, is eligible.
- A total of 60 vacancies, twice a year
- Notify in March/April and September/October.
- If selected, will be called for SSB. There will be no written exams.
- After all this, you will be granted as Lieutenant on Short Service Probation with a stipend, till the completion of 1-year training at Indian Military Academy (IMA).
- After one year of training, the Permanent Commission (PC) will be granted with one-year seniority post and increased salary.
- Age Limit: 20-27 years (should be unmarried).
Army Education Corps (AEC) for Men (Permanent Commission)
- With a Post Graduate in the notified MA/MSc streams (with 1st or 2nd division), one is eligible.
- A total of 20 vacancies, twice a year
- Notify in March/April and September/October.
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- If selected, will be called for SSB. There will be no written exams.
- After all this, you will be granted as Lieutenant on Short Service Probation with a stipend till the completion of 1-year training at Indian Military Academy (IMA).
- After one year of training, one will be liable for service as per the Army’s Headquarters.
- Age Limit: 23-27 years (should be unmarried).
Graduate Entry (Technical) for both Men and Women (Short Service Commission)
- One with an Engineering degree in a notified stream is eligible.
- A total of 100 vacancies for men and 20 vacancies for women, twice a year.
- Notify in June/July and December January.
- You can apply online for it.
- Selected candidates will get training for 49 weeks at Officer Training Academy, Chennai.
- Age Limit: 20-27 years (should be unmarried).
Conclusion
So, this is how you can gain entry to the Army and Join Indian Army. Including all these entry schemes, there are more entry schemes for existing Army Personnel. The existing servicemen of the Army can also apply for Officer Grades. Entry Schemes like Army Cadet College Wing (ACC), Permanent Commission Special List (PC SL), and Special Commissioned Officers (SCO) are there for existing Army personnel. You will train servicemen of different categories. Indian Army gives you a lot of chances to show your patriotism towards the country.