We get a lot of inquiries on a daily basis by defence aspirants to know about, how to join Defence Forces? Through this article, we will give you all the information about all entries to join the Indian Armed Forces. Firstly, we would like to tell you that the eligibility of a candidate depends upon mainly his/her qualification, age, physical criteria and academic level (mainly percentage). After going through this article one can easily know his/her eligibility and number of attempts he can get to appear for various defence entries.
Nowadays Defence Jobs are very popular among the youth. Defence offers you a way of life which you can’t get in any other job. This is the only job where you will get huge exposure. Opportunity to expose yourself to a number of adventure sports. Get a chance to live in various parts of the country, visit foreign countries, and work for your motherland. Defence Forces offer humongous opportunities for youngsters seeking job satisfaction, security, economic stability, social status, quality of life, variety and adventure
Following are the entries through which one can join most elite jobs in Defence Forces.
1. National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA):
Through NDA/NA a candidate can join any of the branches of Indian Armed forces -Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Indian Navy. The Union Public Service Commission conducts two Competitive Examinations across the country twice a year mainly in the month of November and April. This is one of the entries to join the Indian Armed Forces.
Eligibility Criteria for NDA/NA
Age: 16 ½ to 19 ½ years as on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: 12th Class of 10+2 System of Education/Equivalent for Army and with Physics and Maths for AF/Navy
Training Academy: NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune
Notification: UPSC releases the notification of NDA/NA twice in a year mainly in the month of May/Jun and December
2. 10+2 TECHNICAL ENTRY SCHEME (10+2 TES):
Through this entry, a candidate can join the Indian Army as a permanent commissioned officer.
Eligibility Criteria for 10+2 TES
Age: 16 ½ to 19 ½ years as on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: 12th Class of 10+2 System of Education/Equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 70% in Physics, Chemistry & Maths (PCM)
Training Academy: OTA Gaya
Notification: It is conducted twice a year and notified by DG Rtg AG’s branch IHQ of MOD(Army) in May/Jun & Oct/Nov
3. INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY (IMA) DIRECT ENTRY:
To join IMA, a candidate needs to first clear combined defence services exam CDSE. The Union Public Service Commission conducts two Competitive Examinations across the country twice a year mainly in the month of November and February. This is one of the entries to join the Indian Armed Forces.
Eligibility Criteria for IMA Direct Entry
Age: 19 and 24 years as on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: Graduation from Recognised University.
Training Academy: IMA Dehradun
Notification: UPSC releases the notification of CDSE twice in a year mainly in the month of May/Jun and December
4. OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY (NON-TECHNICAL MEN) OTA SSC:
To join IMA, a candidate needs to first clear combined defence services exam CDSE. The Union Public Service Commission conducts two Competitive Examinations across the country twice a year mainly in the month of November and February.
Eligibility Criteria for OTA SSC
Age: 19 and 25 years as on 01 Jan of the yr in which course is due to commence for Apr course and 01 Jul of the yr in which course is due to commence for Oct course
Qualification: Graduation from Recognised University.
Training Academy: OTA Chennai
Notification: UPSC releases the notification of CDSE twice in a year mainly in the month of May/Jun and December
5. NCC (SPL) ENTRY MEN:
Through NCC entry a candidate will be selected in Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
Eligibility Criteria for NCC SPL
Age: 19 and 25 years as of 01 Jul of the year in which course is due to commence for October course and 01 Jan of the year in which course is due to commence for April course
Qualification: Final year appearing/Graduate with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 Years service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam.
Training Academy: OTA Chennai
Notification: It is notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun & December
6. JAG MEN:
It is a special entry only for law graduates in the Indian Army
Eligibility Criteria for JAG Entry
Age: 21 and 27 years as on 01 Jul of the year in which course is due to commence for October course and 01 Jan of the year in which course is due to commence for April course
Qualification: Graduate with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State
Training Academy: OTA Chennai
Notification: It notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch
7. UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME:
Candidates will be selected directly for the Indian Armed Force through this entry. This is one of the entries to join the Indian Armed Forces.
Eligibility Criteria for UES (Pre Final Year)
Age: 19 and 25 years on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: Pre Final year students of Engineering Degree Course
Training Academy: IMA Dehradun
Notification: It notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May. Applications to be forwarded to respective Command Headquarters as per the areas indicated in the notification.
7. TGC (ENGINEERS):
Candidates will be selected directly for the Indian Armed Forces through this entry.
Eligibility Criteria for TGC
Age: 20 and 27 years as on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: BE / B Tech final appearing & degree holders in notified streams of Engineers
Training Academy: IMA Dehradun
Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May/Jun and Nov/Dec.
8. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION TECHNICAL MEN:
Candidates will be selected for the Indian Army through this entry.
Eligibility Criteria for SS (Tech)
Age: 20 and 27 years as on the first day of the month in which course is due to commence
Qualification: Engineering Degree in notified discipline
Training Academy: OTA Chennai
Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Dec/Jan and Jun / Jul
9. TGC EDUCATION (AEC):
Candidates will be selected for the Indian Army through this entry.
Eligibility Criteria for TGC EDUCATION (AEC)
Age: 23 to 27 years, born between – 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Jan Course; 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course
Qualification: M.A. / M.Sc. in 1st or 2nd division in notified subjects from the recognized university
Training Academy: IMA Dehradun
Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May/Jun and Nov/Dec
10. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT):
Depending on the qualifications of a candidate, he/she can join one of the various branches in the Indian Air Force as an officer.
- Flying Branch: Fighters, Transports and Helicopters
- Technical Branch: Mechanical and Electronics
- Ground Duty Branch: Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education and Meteorology
Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT
AGE: 19 to 23 years
Qualification: Graduates (Minimum three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognized University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
Training Academy: Air Force Academy
Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by IAF in May/June and Aug/Sep
11. Graduate Special Entry Scheme (GSES) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Through UPSC):
Candidates can join the Indian Navy through Graduate Special Entry Scheme (GSES).
Eligibility Criteria for Graduate Special Entry Scheme (GSES)
Age: 19 – 22 years
Qualification: B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or BE
Notification: Advertised by Indian Navy through leading newspapers.
12. SSC Submarine Engineering:
Eligibility Criteria for SSC Submarine Engineering
Age: 19-25 years
Qualification: BE/B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum 60% can apply for this entry.
Notification: It is notified by the Indian Navy through leading newspapers.
Also, See:
- How can a girl join the Defence Services mainly in Indian Army?
- How To Join Army Navy and Air Force After 12th as an officer
- India’s First Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat