Careers as Officer in the Indian Armed Forces

Major Saras C. Tripathi

Serving in the Indian Armed Forces is considered one of the most prestigious and respected professions. Collectively, the Indian Armed Forces constitute the third largest army in the world and rank fourth in terms of firepower, according to the Firepower Index. The Constitution stipulates that the Union of India shall maintain the Armed Forces to safeguard the nation against "external aggressions."

It is important to understand that only the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy constitute the "Armed Forces," and they operate under the Ministry of Defence. Their primary role is to protect the nation from external threats, ensure the security of its borders, and uphold the territorial integrity of India. Additionally, in cases where civil administration fails, during emergencies, or to manage armed insurgencies, the Armed Forces may be deployed under various Acts, including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), passed by Parliament.

From maintaining control over the highest and coldest battlefield in the world, the Siachen Glacier, to operating the world's largest volunteer army, the Indian Armed Forces have consistently presented a promising career path for young individuals. Beyond a commitment to serving the nation and preserving its integrity, a career in the armed forces commands dignity and immense respect among the youth.

Before proceeding further, it is important to understand that, broadly, entry into the Armed Forces is at two levels only: Officers (Group "A" Gazetted Officers, officially designated as "Commissioned Officers") and Sepoys or Riflemen (whereas entry into the state police or Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) occurs at three levels: Gazetted Officers, Subordinate Officers, and Constables). The recruitment of Sepoys is conducted through various regimental centres. Majority of officers in the Armed Forces are selected through the UPSC. There are also a few other entry schemes, which will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Aspirants wishing to join the Armed Forces as officers are provided with several entry schemes based on their academic qualifications and the type of "Commission" they are opting for. The term commission has a specific meaning in the context of the Armed Forces, as Gazetted Officers are designated as "Commissioned Officers."

Careers in the Armed Forces, by the nature of tenure, are classified into two categories: Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. Permanent Commission refers to a career in the Armed Forces until retirement, while Short Service Commission offers the opportunity to serve for a shorter period of 5 to 14 years, with the option to leave after the initial engagement of 5 years or during the extended tenure before completing 14 years.

The majority of Commissioned Officer entries are made through two competitive examinations: NDA and CDS, conducted by the UPSC. The Indian Armed Forces offer career opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate candidates. Defence aspirants who have passed or are appearing for their 10+2 examinations, as well as those who are graduates or in the final year of their respective degree programmes, can apply to become officers in the Armed Forces.

The Arms and the Services

The Armed Forces, by the nature of their work profile, are vertically divided into two parts: the Arms and the Services. The role of the Arms is to fight wars, directly or indirectly, whereas the Services are responsible for providing all kinds of support to the fighting Arms.

The five Arms are:

·       The regiments of Infantry,

·       The regiments of Artillery,

·       The Armoured Corps,

·       The Corps of Signals,

·       The Corps of Engineers.

The main Services include:

·       The ASC (Army Service Corps),

·       The Ordnance Corps,

·       The EME (Electrical and Mechanical Corps),

·       The AMC (Army Medical Corps),

·       The Army Education Corps,

·       The RVC (Remount and Veterinary Corps),

·       The JAG (Judge Advocate General) Branch, etc.

Steps of Selection: Various Layers of Tests Before Final Selection

Broadly, there are three stages of testing before the final selection of candidates, each of which must be independently qualified. Among these, the SSB is considered the most challenging, with a very low selection rate compared to other examinations. It evaluates the overall personality and suitability of candidates, rather than focussing solely on academic performance.

1. Written Examination

In addition to NDA and CDS, which are conducted by the UPSC, other entries have their own systems for conducting written examinations. Depending on the entry, these examinations are designed by the respective Services.

2. Personality Test (SSB or Services Selection Board)

To become an officer in the Armed Forces, candidates must compulsorily pass a comprehensive Personality Test, commonly known as the SSB. This test is conducted by the Services Selection Board, which comprises Armed Forces officers and psychologists from the DRDO or those specifically recruited for this purpose. The Personality Test includes psychological tests, a series of GTO (Group Testing Officer) tests, and an interview.

3. Medical Board

The Medical Board is conducted by a panel of medical experts from the Army Medical Corps (AMC). The process is thorough and exhaustive, as the Armed Forces require the fittest candidates to join the Defence forces.

National Defence Academy (NDA)

Candidates aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years, who have either passed the 10+2 examination or are appearing for it, can apply for the NDA entrance exam, held twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The academy is located on a sprawling campus in Pune, Maharashtra. Both male and female aspirants are eligible for admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy.

After three years of training at the NDA, cadets receive a graduation degree from JNU, New Delhi, and proceed to the respective academies of their chosen wing: Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (Uttarakhand); Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Telangana); or Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Kerala) for one additional year of training before being "Commissioned."

Combined Defence Services (CDS)

As the name suggests, the CDS exam is a combined examination for entry into all three wings of the Armed Forces-the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force-through four academies. Graduate male and female aspirants wishing to serve in the Indian Armed Forces can join through the CDS exam, conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Candidates selected through this entry are inducted into:

·       Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (for the Army),

·       Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (for the Navy),

·       Air Force Academy, Dundigal (for the Air Force), and

·       Officers' Training Academy, Chennai (for Short Service Commission in the Army).

While male candidates are eligible to join any academy based on their preference and educational qualifications, female candidates may only opt for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. The training duration is broadly 18 months, except for the OTA, which has a 10-month training programme.

Other Undergraduate Entries (Other than NDA)

10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES)

This entry is similar to the NDA but does not go through UPSC, catering exclusively to the Army and technical Arms/Services. Cadets initially undergo three years of training at technical institutes like CME Pune, MCTE Mhow, or MCEME Secunderabad, followed by one year of training at IMA Dehradun.

Male candidates aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years, who have passed the 10+2 examination with 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognised education board, are eligible to apply for this entry. Candidates seeking to join the Indian Army through this scheme must have appeared in the JEE (Mains) examination as a prerequisite.

10+2 (B. Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme

This entry is considered the best route for joining the Indian Navy through the prestigious Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, for a four-year B. Tech degree course. Unmarried male candidates who have passed the 10+2 examination with 70% marks in the PCM stream and at least 50% marks in English can apply. For this scheme, the IIT JEE (Mains) examination is mandatory.

Graduate-Level Entries (Other than CDS)

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)

Exclusively for the Air Force, this test is for both flying and ground duties. Graduate male and female aspirants wishing to join the Indian Air Force as Officers can apply through the AFCAT. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying. The training duration is similar to that for CDS officers.

For graduate entry examinations other than CDS and AFCAT, candidates are exempted from the written examination, as these are direct entries. However, SSB is compulsory for all entries.

Technical Graduate Course (TGC)

This entry is specifically for technical graduates (B. Tech or BE). Unmarried male candidates aged between 20 and 27 years who aspire to join the Indian Army as engineers can apply for the TGC entry. Training commences at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.

Candidates who hold an engineering degree or are in the final year of their degree course are eligible. Successful applicants are commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (Civil Engineers), Corps of Signals (Electronics and Communications), or the EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).

Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET)

Engineering graduates can join the Indian Navy through INET, conducted exclusively for commissions in the Navy. Unmarried male and female candidates holding a B.E./ B.Tech degree from AICTE-recognised institutes with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible.

Candidates must be aged between 19 and 24 years to apply. INET is conducted for the grant of both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Navy.

SSC Tech (Men and Women)

The Indian Army conducts the SSC Tech entry for unmarried male and female engineering graduates who wish to join the Army on a Short Service Commission. Candidates aged between 20 and 27 years, with a B.E./B.Tech degree or in the final year of their course, are eligible to apply.

Special Entry Scheme through NCC

This entry is available for male and female candidates who hold an NCC "C" Certificate. Successful candidates are granted a Short Service Commission in the Army. Applicants must be aged between 19 and 25 years, possess a degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks, and hold the NCC "C" Certificate.

JAG (Men and Women)

This entry is for the Judge Advocate General Branch of the Army, which oversees legal matters within the Armed Forces. Candidates must hold an LLB degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks and be registered as advocates with the Bar Council of India.

Both male and female candidates aged between 21 and 27 years are eligible to apply for the Short Service Commission in this branch.

Army Medical Corps

Most doctors in the Armed Forces are recruited through the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, which admits top NEET qualifiers.

Doctors holding an MBBS degree from recognised universities can also enter directly at the rank of Captain. All other entries in the Armed Forces are at the level of Lieutenant or equivalent ranks in the Air Force (Flying Officer) or the Navy (Sub-Lieutenant).

(The author is a former Army Officer from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, and an author and columnist. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@ gmail.com.) Views expressed are personal.