Officer Level Entries
After 12th
NDA (National Defence Academy)
The NDA entry is one of the most sought-after officer level entries straight after Class 12th. It allows students to join the Army, Navy or Air Force depending on their choice and eligibility. For the Army wing, candidates who have passed 10+2 in any stream can apply, whereas for Air Force and Navy, Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level are compulsory. The age limit is between 16.5 to 19.5 years and only unmarried candidates are allowed. The recruitment process involves a written exam conducted by UPSC twice every year, followed by the five-day SSB interview and medical examination. Those who qualify undergo three years of rigorous academic and physical training at NDA, Khadakwasla (Pune), after which cadets join the respective service academies—IMA, INA or AFA—for further pre-commission training before being commissioned as officers.
TES (Technical Entry Scheme – Army)
TES is a direct entry scheme for students who have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and secured at least 60% marks, along with appearing for JEE (Mains). The age limit remains the same as NDA (16.5–19.5 years). Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their academic records and JEE performance, and then directly called for SSB interviews. Those who qualify begin training at OTA Gaya for one year, followed by technical training in specialized institutions like CME Pune, MCTE Mhow or MCEME Secunderabad, depending on their engineering stream. After completing their training, candidates are granted Permanent Commission into the Indian Army as officers.
Navy 10+2 (B.Tech) Entry
The Navy B.Tech entry is specifically for students aspiring to become technical officers in the Navy. Candidates must have studied PCM in class 12 with at least 70% marks and must appear for JEE (Mains). Selected candidates are directly shortlisted and invited to the SSB. The age limit is 16.5–19.5 years, similar to NDA and TES. Training is conducted at INA Ezhimala where cadets pursue a four-year B.Tech course in Naval Architecture, Electrical, Mechanical or Electronics. On successful completion, they are commissioned as Sub-Lieutenants in the Indian Navy.
After Graduation (Written Exam Route)
CDS (Combined Defence Services Exam)
The CDS examination is one of the most popular graduate-level entries for the armed forces. Conducted twice a year by UPSC, it allows graduates to join the Army, Navy or Air Force through IMA, OTA, INA or AFA respectively. The eligibility varies: any graduate can apply for Army; engineering graduates are eligible for the Navy; and for the Air Force, candidates must be graduates with Physics and Maths at the 10+2 level or engineering degree holders. The age ranges differ slightly: 19–24 for IMA, 19–25 for OTA, 19–22 for INA and 19–23 for AFA. Candidates who clear the written exam face the SSB interview and medicals. Training is imparted at the respective academies, with IMA and INA providing Permanent Commission, while OTA focuses on Short Service Commission.
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)
AFCAT is an entry conducted directly by the Indian Air Force for various branches. It is open to both men and women. For the Flying branch, candidates need to be graduates with 60% marks and must have studied PCM in class 12, with an age bracket of 19–24 years. For Ground Duty (Technical), a BE/BTech degree with 60% is required, and the age limit is 20–26 years. For Ground Duty (Non-Technical), any graduate with 60% marks may apply. The selection process includes the AFCAT written exam, subsequent AFSB (SSB) interview, and medical tests. Successful candidates begin their pre-commission training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)
AFCAT is an entry conducted directly by the Indian Air Force for various branches. It is open to both men and women. For the Flying branch, candidates need to be graduates with 60% marks and must have studied PCM in class 12, with an age bracket of 19–24 years. For Ground Duty (Technical), a BE/BTech degree with 60% is required, and the age limit is 20–26 years. For Ground Duty (Non-Technical), any graduate with 60% marks may apply. The selection process includes the AFCAT written exam, subsequent AFSB (SSB) interview, and medical tests. Successful candidates begin their pre-commission training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
Direct Technical Entries (No Written Exam)
TGC (Technical Graduate Course – Army)
The Technical Graduate Course is specific to engineering graduates who wish to join the Indian Army. Candidates between 20 and 27 years of age can apply directly after graduation. There is no written exam; candidates are shortlisted based on their academic profile and called for an SSB interview followed by medicals. Training is conducted at IMA Dehradun, after which cadets are commissioned as officers with Permanent Commission.
SSC Tech (Army)
This entry is meant for both male and female B.Tech graduates within the age group of 20–27 years. Like TGC, there is no written test; recruitment is through shortlisting based on academic merit followed by SSB and medical fitness tests. Training is imparted at OTA Chennai or OTA Gaya and candidates are commissioned as Short Service Commission officers, which is initially for 10 years and can be extended based on performance and requirement.
UES (University Entry Scheme – Army)
The UES scheme, though less frequent, is intended for final-year engineering students. Candidates aged between 18 and 24 years are interviewed during campus selections, and if successful, they are later called for SSB interviews. After clearing the SSB and medical boards, the selected candidates undergo pre-commission training at IMA, Dehradun, and are inducted as Permanent Commission officers.
Navy SSC/Tech Direct Entries
The Indian Navy also offers direct entries without written exams into Short Service Commission and Technical branches, including Pilot, Observer, IT, Education, Logistics and Engineering. Each branch has specific eligibility criteria, usually requiring graduates or B.Tech holders. After shortlisting and clearing the SSB, cadets are trained at the INA Ezhimala before commissioning.
Miscellaneous / Special Entries
NCC Special Entry (Army & Air Force)
This entry is designed for graduates who hold an NCC ‘C’ Certificate with a minimum B grade. The minimum marks in graduation required are 50%. For the Indian Army, the age limit is 19–25 years, while for the Air Force it is 19–24 years. The major advantage is that no written exam is required; candidates are directly called for SSB interviews. Selected candidates undergo training at OTA Chennai for Army SSC or at AFA Dundigal for Air Force.
JAG (Judge Advocate General – Army)
The JAG entry is reserved for law graduates (LLB) who are registered with the Bar Council of India. Candidates between the ages of 21–27 years are eligible. Shortlisted candidates are invited for the SSB interview, and on successful completion of selection and medicals, they are trained at OTA Chennai. These officers serve in the legal branch of the Indian Army and handle military-related legal matters.
AEC (Army Education Corps)
The Army Education Corps entry is open to postgraduates, usually in subjects like English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History or Political Science. The age limit is 23–27 years. Shortlisting, SSB and medicals form the selection process. Successful candidates are trained at IMA Dehradun and later serve as education officers in training institutions of the Army, playing a crucial role in academic development and research activities.
Service Entries (For Serving Soldiers, JCOs, NCOs → Officer)
ACC (Army Cadet College)
The Army Cadet College entry is meant for serving soldiers, sailors or airmen who aspire to become commissioned officers. Candidates must have completed at least 10+2 and two years of service. The age limit is 20–27 years. They have to clear a written exam, followed by SSB and medicals. Training is given at the Army Cadet College Wing of IMA Dehradun where they undergo a three-year graduation program, followed by further pre-commission training at IMA before becoming officers.
SCO (Special Commissioned Officers)
The SCO scheme is available to serving JCOs and NCOs of the Army. Candidates must have at least 5–28 years of service and be aged between 28 and 35 years. After a screening process, they are selected for SSB and medicals. Training is imparted at IMA Dehradun in the SCO Wing, and candidates are later commissioned as officers.
PC(SL) (Permanent Commission – Special List)
This entry is meant for serving JCOs and NCOs with long and distinguished service records. A minimum educational qualification of 10+2 is necessary and the maximum age can extend up to around 42 years depending on length of service. Selected candidates undergo a short training course at IMA Dehradun and are commissioned directly, often at the rank of Captain or Major, depending on their seniority in service.
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