How To Join Indian Army: Serving one’s nation is not just a matter of pride, it is every individual’s duty to serve their own nation. This article explains how to join Indian Army and the various requirements needed to do so. Furthermore, joining the army also imparts many values such as discipline, punctuality, integrity and more. The Indian Army also ensures that the individual is able to carve out a career path for themselves after their service.
Until 1992, women were not allowed to join th Indian Army. Today, eligible women candidates can join the Army under Officer Grade. The Army employs individuals through two types of commissions – the Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. Both these types of commissions enable men and women to serve their nation under the Indian Army. However, the terms of employment vary and there are very specific requirements that need to be fulfilled. We shall explore the difference between the two types of commission.
Get to know more details about Indian Army Recruitment 2020 from here.
Recruitment in Indian Army
As stated above, there are two types of commissions which induct people into the armed forces:
- Permanent Commission
- Short Service Commission
Permanent Commission (PC)
Only men are eligible for permanent commission. Individuals who are selected can serve the armed forces until the age of 60, with early retirement also as an option. Candidates can join the Officer grade soon after high school or even graduation. The training is conducted at the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), National Defence Academy (Pune) or the Officers Training Academy (Gaya).
Short Service Commission (SSC)
Short Service Commission, as the name suggests, has an initial employment tenure of 10 years with the possibility of an extension up to 4 years, provided the individuals to meet certain criteria.
Entry into Indian Army
Following are a few entries for Officer Grade through Permanent as well as Short Service Commission
- Intermediate Entry
- Graduate Entry (UPSC)
- Graduate Entry (NCC/ JAG)
- Graduate Technical Entry
Intermediate Entry
National Defence Academy Entry for Men (Permanent Commission)
As stated, PC is exclusively for male candidates. Students pursuing their class 12 or have cleared their class 12 exam are eligible to appear for the NDA exam, which is held by UPSC. The total number of vacancies is 208 and the exam is held two times a year. After successfully cracking the exam, candidates are called for an interview and a medical test. Candidates must not be over 19.5 years of age or under 16.5 years of age as on the date of application. Furthermore, candidates must be unmarried. Selected candidates are given 3 years of training at the NDA with a degree in either B.Sc or BA and a 1-year pre-commission training at IMA. Upon successful completion of training, candidates are granted Permanent commission as Lieutenant, usually serving the nation in active combat duties.
Stipend: INR 21,000 per month
10+2 Technical Entry Scheme for Men (Permanent Commission)
Educational qualifications require the candidates to have graduated class 12 with Physics, Maths and Chemistry, scoring no less than 70% marks in their qualifying exams. Exams are conducted twice a year (usually May and October), with 90 vacancies. Unlike NDA entry, TES entry does not have a written test. Instead, candidates will be directly recommended for the interview (Service Selection Board). The upper age limit is 19.5 years and the lower age limit is 16.5 years. Selected candidates will be given training of 5 years – 1 year at Officers Training Academy, Gaya and 4 years of technical training. Upon successfully completing the training, candidates are awarded an engineering degree. Furthermore, the Permanent Commission is granted for the rank of Lieutenant, serving the nation as the technical arm of the combat servicemen.
Stipend: INR 21,000 per month
Graduate Entry (UPSC)
Indian Military Academy Direct for Men (Permanent Commission)
UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE) for drafting individuals into the Indian Army. It is applicable only for male candidates who hold a graduate degree or are in their final graduation year. The admission process begins in July and November of every year – with over 200 vacancies. Interested candidates must be between 19 to 24 years of age and should be unmarried. Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an interview with the Service Selection Board. Successful candidates will undergo training as Gentleman Cadets for 1 year and 5 months at Indian Military Academy. On successful completion of training, the individuals will be granted Permanent Commission as Lieutenants.
Officers Training Academy – Chennai (Short Service Commission) for Men and Women
Interested candidates must appear for the Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE), which is conducted by the UPSC. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from a recognized university. The admission process begins in July and November of every year – with 175 vacancies for men and 12 for women. Interested candidates must be between 19 to 25 years of age and should be unmarried. Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an interview with the Service Selection Board. Successful candidates will be given training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai for a period of 49 weeks. Upon successful completion, Short Service Commission is granted.
Graduate Entry (NCC/ JAG)
Another alternative way to get drafted into the Indian Army is through the NCC and JAG. Both are SSC commission and are applicable for both men and women.
- SSC (NCC) for Men and Women: Conducted twice a year, with 46 vacancies for men and 4 for women. Interested candidates must be between 19 to 25 years of age and should be unmarried. Candidates must also be graduates with not less than 50% marks in their qualifying exams and two years of NCC Senior Division Army service with at least B grade in C Certificate Exam. Successful candidates will subsequently be called for an interview with the SSB. Training will be provided at Officers Training Academy – Chennai, for a period of 49 weeks.
- SSC (JAG) for Men and Women: Conducted twice a year, with 6 vacancies for men and 4 for women. Interested candidates must be between 21 to 27 years of age and should be unmarried. Interested candidates must also possess a degree in Law with a Bar Registration eligibility in India or any state. The selection process involves clearing an interview with the SSB. Successful candidates will undergo training at Officers Training Academy – Chennai, for a duration of 49 weeks.
Graduate Technical Entry
- University Entry Scheme for Men (Permanent Commission): Applicable for pre-final year engineering students. The application process requires online registration with the official Indian Army website. Usually, advertisements for the same are released during the month of June-July. 60 vacancies are available and eligible candidates will be shortlisted through SSB interview. Candidates who are successfully selected will be granted SSC on probation and upon successfully completing the training, Permanent Commission will be granted along with a 1-year jump on seniority. Other requirements include being unmarried and within the age of 18 to 24. Note, training will be held at Indian Military Academy, with a duration of 1 year.
- Technical Graduate Course for Men (Permanent Commission): Applicable for students pursuing or B.tech Stream. The application process requires online registration with the official Indian Army website. Advertisements for the same are released twice a year – during the month of March-April and September-October. 60 vacancies are available and eligible candidates will be shortlisted through SSB interview. Other requirements include being unmarried and within the age of 20 to 27. Candidates who are successfully selected will be granted SSC on probation and upon completing the training, Permanent Commission will be granted along with a 1-year jump on seniority. Please note, training will be held at Indian Military Academy, with a duration of 1 year.
- Army Education Corps (Permanent Commission): Applicable for students with a Post Graduation in M.SC or MA. The application process requires online registration with the official Indian Army website. Advertisements for the same are released twice a year – during the month of March-April and September-October. There are 20 vacancies and eligible candidates will be shortlisted through SSB interview. Other requirements include being unmarried and within the age of 23 to 27. Moreover, the candidate must have secured 1st or 2nd division in their MSC/ MA results. Candidates who are successfully selected will be granted SSC on probation and upon successful completion of training, will be granted Permanent Commission as Lieutenant. Please note, training will be held at Indian Military Academy, with a duration of 1 year.
- Technical for Men and Women (Short Service Commissions): Interested candidates must hold an engineering degree and also be between the age of 20 to 27. Exams are conducted twice a year – with 100 vacancies for men and 20 vacancies for women. Official notifications are usually released by June-July and December-January on the official Indian Army Website. Please note, training will be held at Officers Training Academy – Chennai for a period of 49 weeks.
FAQ’s on How to Join Indian Army
Question 1.
How can I join the army?
Answer:
There are two types of commissions which induct people into the armed forces: – Permanent Commission and the Short Service Commission
Question 2.
What are the requirements to join Indian Army?
Answer:
Most recruits join at the rank of Lieutenants, hence, they must be between 19 to 24 years of age and should be unmarried.
Question 3.
What is the age to join Indian Army?
Answer:
The minimum age requirements for most posts in the army is 19 years of age. However, this can change depending on the actual post and designation.
Question 4.
What is the Army age limit?
Answer:
The army usually does not recruit individuals over the age of 30 (in most scenarios)
Question 5.
How can a girl join Indian Army after 12?
Answer:
Women can join the army under the Short Service Commission scheme. The minimum age to join through this scheme would be 19. The maximum age limit would be 25 (for most posts in the army).