Different Officer Level Entries to Join Indian Armed Forces.
Get career options in the Indian Arm Forces by different Officer level entries. Read now how to join the Indian Armed Forces as an officer. Recruitment to the Armed Forces is voluntary and open to all citizens of India irrespective of caste, class, religion and community provided the laid down physical, medical and educational criteria are met.
Undergraduate Officer Level Entries Of Indian Armed Forces:
1) National Defence Academy (NDA)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services i.e. the Indian Army , the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force train together before they go on to the respective service academy for the further pre-commission training. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. It is the first tri-service academy in the world.
| Name of Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Qualification | 12th Passed or Appearing Candidates (No percentage foundation) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year – April / May and Sep / Oct |
| Age Limit | 16.5 yrs – 19.5 yrs |
| Exam Mode | 2:30 hours for both papers (Objective type paper) |
| Papers | Paper –I (Maths) Paper –II (General Ability Test) |
| Subjects | Mathematics, General English, General Science, General Knowledge, Current Affairs |
| Gender | Male and Female |
| Training Academy | National Defence Academy, Pune, Maharashtra (3yrs), Indian Military Academy (1 yr) |
| Selection Procedure | Written Test -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
2) Technical Entry Scheme TES (10 + 2)
Technical Entry Scheme, Indian Army 10+2 TES Entry is for 10+2 pass candidates to join Indian Army as officers. Candidates who have passed 10+2 Examination or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates must write JEE mains to apply for TES.
| Name of Exam | Technical Entry Scheme 10+2 ( Direct SSB) |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | Passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry & Math at least 60% marks. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year – January & July |
| Age Limit | 16.5 yrs – 19.5 yrs |
| Gender | Only for Male Candidates |
| Training Academy | OTA ( Officer’s Training Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
3) 10+2 NAVY (B.Tech) Entry:
Indian Navy offers two branches under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (B.Tech admission), and the candidates can apply for either of the branches or any one branch. Applicant must be an unmarried male, fulfilling the conditions of nationality as laid down by the Govt. of India. Applicants should have passed Senior Secondary Examination (10+2 Pattern) or its equivalent examinations from any Board with at least 70% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) and at least 50% marks in English (either in Class X or Class XII).
| Name of Exam | 10+2 Navy B.Tech Entry ( Direct SSB) |
| Conducted By | Indian Navy |
| Qualification | Passed Senior Secondary Examination (10 + 2) from any board with at least 70% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Call for Service Selection Board (SSB) will be issued on the basis of JEE (Main) all India Rank. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year – June & November |
| Age Limit | 16.5 yrs – 19.5 yrs |
| Gender | Only for Male Candidates |
| Training College | Indian Naval Academy(INA), Ezhimala, Kerela |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
Graduate Officer Level Entries Of Indian Armed Forces:
Following are the different types of Graduate entries for commissioned posts of Indian Armed Forces:
1) CDSE or Combined Defence Services Examination
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS Exam) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Successful candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).
| Name of Exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Qualification | Any graduate ( No percentage boundation) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year – April / May and Oct/Nov |
| Age Limit | 20 yrs – 24 yrs |
| Exam Mode | 2 hours (Objective type paper) |
| Subjects | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics (Not for OTA) – 100 Questions Each |
| Gender | Both for Male and Female can apply |
| Training Academy | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA) |
| Selection Procedure | Written Test -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
2) Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
AFCAT is a common recruitment exam conducted by IAF (Indian Air Force) every year in the month of March & August, exam notification for which comes out in the months of December/January and June/July every year. The March exam of any year is conducted for the training course that would commence from January next year. While for the August exam, the course commences from July next year.
| Name of Exam | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) |
| Conducted By | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Qualification | Flying Branch: Minimum of 60% marks each in Math and Physics at 10+2 level. Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Age Limit | Flying Branch – 20yrs – 24 yrs Ground Duty – 20yrs – 24yrs |
| Exam Mode | 2 hours (Objective type paper) |
| Subjects | General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude and General English ( EKT exam for Technical branch) |
| Gender | Both for Male and Female can apply |
| Posts Offered | Commissioned officers in Flying Branch, Ground Duty (technical) and Ground Duty (Non-technical) branch |
| Selection Procedure | AFCAT Exam -> AFSB Interview -> Medical Test |
3) Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET)
The Indian Navy is introduced computer-based examination for the selection of Direct Entry Officers after graduation. The first Indian Navy Entrance Test (Officers), i.e. INET (Officers), was scheduled in September 2019. Candidates wiling to apply online for Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) should note that only those candidates can apply who have graduated or are in final year of the applicable qualifying degree.
| Name of Exam | Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) |
| Conducted By | Indian Navy |
| Qualification | Executive Branch – Varies as per different posts. Technical Branch – BE/B.Tech Degree with 60% Education Branch – First Class in M.Sc. (Math / Operational Research) with Physics in B.Sc. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Age Limit | Executive Branch – Varies as per different posts Technical Branch – 18.5yrs -23 yrs Education Branch – 17.5 – 23 yrs |
| Gender | Executive Branch – Both Male and Females (Different Posts) Technical Branch – Only Male Education Branch – Only Male |
| Posts Offered | Commissioned officers in Indian Navy |
| Selection Procedure | Written Exam -> NSB Interview -> Medical Test |
4) Technical Graduate Course (TGC)
TGC entry also know as Technical Graduate Course Entry is a type of entry through which an engineering graduate (only male) can join the Indian Army as an officer. TGC entry is specific for engineering students who can apply for it from final year onward.
| Name of Exam | Technical Graduate Course (TGC) |
| Conducted By | Additional Directorate General |
| Qualification | BE / B.Tech final appearing & degree holders in notified streams of Engineers |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – May/June & Nov/Dec |
| Age Limit | 20yrs – 27yrs |
| Gender | Only for Male Candidates |
| Training Academy | IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | TGC Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
5) University Entry Scheme (UES)
UES has started way back in 1950’s, it was only for the Engineering and Electrical Branch initially for the Electrical branch and later for engineering branches too. Primarily it gives an opportunity for those who are pursuing their studies to also opt for career in the NAVY as officers.
| Name of Exam | University Entry Scheme (UES) |
| Conducted By | Indian Navy |
| Qualification | Engineering final year or pre-final year students |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Age Limit | 19yrs – 25yrs (Final year) 18yrs – 24yrs (Pre-Final Year) |
| Gender | Only for Male Candidates |
| Training Academy | IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Campus Interview -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
6) Short Service Commission (Technical)
Defence aspirants have the option of joining the Army and serving as a Commissioned Officer for 10/14 years. Candidates appeared in the Final Year of the Engineering Degree Course and who are qualified graduates of the Degree Course in Engineering from recognized Universities / Institutions / Colleges in the subjects mentioned below will be eligible to apply.
| Name of Exam | Short Service Commission (Technical) |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | Passed or in the final year of Engineering Course (B.E/B.Tech) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – May/June & Nov/Dec |
| Age Limit | 20yrs – 27yrs (Men) 19yrs – 25yrs (Women) |
| Gender | Both Male and Female |
| Training Academy | OTA (Officer’s Training Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
7) Army Education Corps (AEC)
The Army Educational Corps of India is a program run by the Indian Army that develops soldiers and officers of all ranks in a variety of disciplines. The center provides education in both combat and non-combat operations. AEC provides challenging opportunities to motivated young men and women with right attitude and a passion for teaching.
| Name of Exam | Army Education Corps (AEC) |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | Candidates who have passed Post Graduate Degree MA/M.Sc and /M.Com/MCA/MBA with 1st or 2nd Division. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – June/July and Dec/Jan |
| Age Limit | 23yrs – 27yrs |
| Gender | Only For Male Candidates |
| Training Academy | OTA (Officer’s Training Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
8) Judge Advocate General (JAG)
Applications are invited from UNMARRIED male and female LAW GRADUATES for grant of Short Service Commission in the Indian Army for Judge Advocate General Branch. A Judge Advocate General of the Indian army advises the military personnel on their day to day matters including the Chief of the Army Staff.
| Name of Exam | Judge Advocate General (JAG) |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | Graduate with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – Jan /Feb & Jul/Aug |
| Age Limit | 21yrs – 27yrs |
| Gender | Both Male and Female Candidates |
| Training Academy | OTA (Officer’s Training Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
9) NCC Special Entry
Indian Army also recruit candidates through NCC Special Entry Scheme. NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent with aggregate of minimum 50% marks taking into account marks of all the years can apply for this.
| Name of Exam | NCC Special Entry |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | 2 Yrs. service in NCC Senior Div. Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam. |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – May/June and Oct/Nov |
| Age Limit | 19yrs – 25yrs |
| Gender | Both Male and Female Candidates |
| Training Academy | OTA (Officer’s Training Academy) |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
10) Remount Veterinary Corp (RVC)
The Remount and Veterinary Corps is an administrative and operational branch of the Indian Army, and one of its oldest formations. It is responsible for breeding, rearing and training of all animals used in the army. Applications are invited from qualified male veterinary graduates for Short Service Commission (SSC) in Remount Veterinary Corps of Indian Army.
| Name of Exam | Remount Veterinary Corp (RVC) |
| Conducted By | Indian Army |
| Qualification | BVSc/BVSc & AH degree from any of the recognized Indian university |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year – May/June and Oct/Nov |
| Age Limit | 21yrs – 32yrs |
| Gender | Only for Male Candidates |
| Selection Procedure | Online Application -> SSB Interview -> Medical Test |
Indian Armed Forces provide opportunities to each and every candidate irrespective of their stream. From the above-mentioned information’s you might have to get the idea that those who want to go for a technical job can go for the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and for the Non-technical candidates, Indian Army and Indian Air Force (Ground –Duty post) will be ideal. Jai Hind.
