Getting into Armed Forces

ARMY

National Defence Academy: Age: 16-19 years. Qualifications: Class 12. Look out for advt in April and October every year.
a) Indian Military Academy: Direct Entry through CDSE conducted by UPSC and SSB Interview. Age: 19-24 years. Qualifications: Degree or equivalent. Look out for advt in April and October every year.
b) Engineering graduates: Age: 20-27 years. Selection through SSB Interview. Qualifications: Engineering degree. Look out for advt in April and October every year.
c) University Entry Scheme: Final and pre-final year students of Engineering degree course. Selection through Campus Interview and SSB Interview. Look out for advt in July.
a) Officers Training Academy: Short Service Commission (Non-Technical): Age: 19-25 years. Qualifications: Degree or equivalent. Selection through CDSE and SSB interview. Look out for advt in March and October.
b) Short Service Commission (Technical): Age: 20-27 years. Qualifications: Engineering degree. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Look out for advt in March and October.
c) Short Service Commission (NCC Special Entry Scheme): Age: 19-25 years. Qualifications: Graduate with 50% marks and 2 years service in NCC. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Advt appears in October/November.
d) Women's Entry Scheme: Age: 19-27 years. Qualifications: Graduate/Post graduate. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Look out for advt in June and December.
For more information on selection to the Army, write to: addl Directorate General of Recruiting. Army HQ West Block III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi - 110066.

NAVY

Permanent Commission
a) Cadet Entry (NDA), Cadet Entry (Executive) Naval Academy, Goa (through NDA Exam).Qualifications: Class 12 with Physics and Maths. Age: 16-19 years.
b) Graduate Special Entry, Naval Academy, Goa (through CDSE). Qualifiations: B.Sc with Physics and Maths or BE. Age: 19-22 years.
c) Direct Entry Naval Armament Inspection Cadre: Qualifications: BE or PG degree in Electronics or Physics. Age: 19-25 years.
d) Direct Entry Law Cadre: Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks. Age: 22-27 years.
Short Service Commission (Men and Women)
a) Law Cadre: Qualifications: Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks. Age: 22-27 years.
b) Logistics Cadre: Qualifications: BA(Econs)/B.Com with second division or graduation with degree/diploma in Material or Financial Management. Age: 19-25 years.
c) Air Traffic Control (ATC): B.Sc with minimum 50% marks in Physics and Maths. Age: 19-25 years.
Education Branch
Permanent/Short Service Commission: MA degree in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Computer Science, Humanities or Engineering. Age: 21-25 years. Men and women can apply for Short Service Commission.
Engineering Branch (Marine Engineers)
a) Permanent Commission: Cadet Entry (NDA) or (Tech): Qualifications: Class 12 with PCM. Age 16-19 years. Direct Entry: Qualifications: Engineering Degree. Age: 19-25 years.
b) Short Service Commission: Qualifications: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.
Engineering (Naval Architects)
a) Cadet Entry: Class 12 with PCM with minimum 70% maks in aggregate. Age: 16-19 years.
b) Direct Entry: Degree in Naval Architecture or Engineering. Age: 21-25 years.
Electrical Branch
a) Permanent Commission: Cadet Entry: Qualifications: Class 12 with PCM with minimum 70% marks. Age: 16-19 years. Direct Entry: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.
b) Short Service Commission: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.
For information on selection to the Indian Navy, contact: DDMPR (R & R), Naval HQ, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi - 110011, Tel: 3011213. Fax: 3792957.

AIR FORCE

NDA: It has a 3 years' course before one is inducted as a Pilot Trainee at the Air Force Academy, Qualifications: Class 12 with Physics and Maths. Age: 16-19 years.
Air Force Academy (CDSE): Qualifications: B.Sc with Physics and/or Maths or BE. Age: 19-23 years.
3. NCC: Qualifications: B.Sc with Physics and/or Maths and a C certificate of the NCC Air Wing. Age: 19-23 years.
Flying Branch (Transport/Helicopter pilots): Age: 19-23 years, relaxable to 25 years for those holding Commercial Pilot License. Applications are called by AIR HQ followed by SSB Interview.
Technical Branch (Aeronautical Engineering: Electronics or Mechanical): Qualifications: BE/B.Tech/Degree with PCM.
Ground Duty Branch: Qualifications: First class graduate or second class post-graduate. Age: 20-23 years for post-graduates. Entrance through SSB Interview. B.Com/M.Com graduates can apply for Accounts Branch. In Meteorological branch, the qualifications required is M.Sc.