The Indian Armed Forces is the overall unified military of the Republic of India encompassing the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, and various other inter-service institutions. India maintains the world’s third largest armed forces. If you are courageous, brave, intellectual and most importantly willing to serve the nation, then the defense is the right career choice for you.
We will discuss the different career prospects and opportunities in each military section individually in brief.
The Indian Army
Indian army
The Indian Army is the largest branch of the armed forces of India and bears responsibility for land-based military operations. Its primary objectives include defending India from external aggression, maintaining peace and security within the country, patrolling borders and conducting counter-terrorist operations, rescue and humanitarian operations.
The Indian Army promises both professional and personal growth at every stage of the career. Opportunities to upgrade through various courses are abundant. The adventure and extra-curricular activities in the Army ensure an all round development essential in today’s world. Art of War-Engineering-Medicine-Administration-Human Resource Development-Management, Army teaches you all, moulding the officers into leaders capable of leading from the front in any field. Joining the Army is possible both after school as well as after graduation. Various types of entries are enumerated below.
Mode of Entry : Officers
- National Defence Academy (NDA)
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Short Service Commission NT Men
- Short Service Commission NT Women
- Short Service Commission Tech Men
- NCC (SPL) Entry Men
- Short Service Commission Tech Women
- University Entry Scheme
- 10+2 Tech Entry Scheme (TES)
- TGC (Engineers)
- TGC Education (AEC)
- JAG Men
- NCC (SPL) Entry Women
Short Service Commission
You also have the option of joining the Army and serving as a Commissioned Officer for 10 years. At the end of this period you have two options. Either elect for a Permanent Commission or opt out.
Those not selected for Permanent Commission have the option of a 4 years extension. They can resign at any time during this period.
A Short Service Commission empowers you with analytical thinking, planning skills, administrative and organizational abilities. Qualities which will make you an invaluable asset for any organization that you join after the Army and there are opportunities to side step to an alternate career for which Army will also help you..
OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY , CHENNAI
Once selected for Short Service Commission, you go to the Officers Training Academy at Chennai. The selection process is a written exam followed by the SSB interview and medicals. For Technical (Engineering) graduates it is direct SSB interview and medicals. If you have done NCC Senior Division (Army) and obtained ‘C’ certificate with minimum ‘B’ grade, you can apply through your NCC Branch HQ/Zonal HQ to Recruiting Directorate for direct SSB interview. SSB qualified candidates undergo a medical examination. The duration of training is 49 weeks. OTA training provides you with opportunities to broaden your perspective and widen your horizon. Whether it’s skeet-shooting, golf, riding or angling … at OTA you can do it all.
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (OFFICERS)
The Indian Army also has women officers. Women officers receive training at OTA, Chennai. You should be a Graduate/Post-Graduate to apply. After the written exam, there is the SSB interview followed by a medical examination.
Permanent Commission
A Permanent Commission means a career in the Army till you retire. For a Permanent commission you have to join the National Defense Academy or the Indian Military Academy .
THE NATIONAL DEFENSE ACADEMY , PUNE
You can take the NDA entrance exam right after class XI. Clear the UPSC exam and a 5-day Service Selection Board interview, pass your medicals, and you’re in NDA. Three years in NDA and you will be a much improved person.
Apart from providing graduation degrees, NDA has the finest infrastructure for professional training. You’ll find phenomenal opportunities to develop your personality and cultivate new interests. There are 31 extra-curricular activities to choose from. You have aero-modeling, golf, gliding, sailing, wind surfing, astronomy, photography.. and many more.
INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY , DEHRADUN
Indian Military Academy is yet another cradle of leadership. There are four main entries to get into IMA. In your final year of Graduation, you need to pass the Combined Defence Services Exams, clear the SSB, be medically fit and join IMA as a Direct Entry if you come in merit. The other entries are 10+2 Tech Entry where you apply after your 12th Exams, University Entry Scheme is for those of you who wish to apply for Army in Pre-Final/Final Year of Engineering. Those of you who have completed your BE/B Tech in notified streams can also join IMA in the Technical Graduate Course. The selection procedure is same as for IMA (Direct Entry) accepting that there are no written exams. The duration of training is 1 ½ years for IMA (DE), five years (one year at IMA and four year at Cadet Training Wings) for 10+2 TES (incl one year after commissioning) and one year for all other entries.
The IMA trains you to lead from the front. You are trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using computers and other modern tools and technologies.
The IMA has excellent facilities for all-round development. You can go for adventure sports like river rafting, para jumping, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering.
From the IMA, you’re commissioned as a “Lieutenant” in the Indian Army, to go out into the world and live up to the IMA motto – “Valour & Wisdom”.
