Graduate UPSC
Graduate Non UPSC
Graduate Technical Entries
Service Entry
Permanent Commission
A Permanent Commission means a career in the Army till you retire. For Permanent Commission, you have to join National Defence Academy, Pune or Indian Military Academy, Dehradunor Officers Training Academy, Gaya.
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun:
Indian Military Academy is yet another cradle of leadership. The IMA trains you to lead from the front. You are trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using technology 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". The main entries to get into IMA are as under:
Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE)
You can take the CDS Entrance Exam conducted by UPSC while you are in final year of Graduation / possess any Graduate Degree. Clear the SSB interview, be medically fit and join IMA as a Direct Entry subject to meeting all eligibility conditions and availability of vacancies. For details of exam dates / Notification visit UPSC website upsc.nic.in
Candidates finally selected will undergo Military Training for a period of 18 Months at IMA. Candidates will be enrolled under the Army Act as Gentlemen Cadets. On successful completion of training gentlemen cadets are granted permanent commission in the rank of Lt subject to being medically fit in SHAPE – I. The final allocation of Arms/Services will be made prior to passing out of Gentlemen Cadets from IMA.
The other entries are Non UPSC entries and there is no written exam for them. You are directly called for SSB interview and details are as under:
University Entry Scheme (Pre Final Year Students Only)
This entry is for those of you who wish to apply for Army in Pre-Final Year of Engineering. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May every year.
Selected candidates for UES Course will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit, discipline wise upto the number of vacancies available at that time. Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission or probation in the rank of Lieutenant (Lt.). from the date of their final selection in the case of final year students and from the date of their joining the final year class in the case of pre-final year students. The commission will be effective upto the date of completion of their pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy.
Candidates during the period of probation will be given stipend at the rate of minimum basic pay of Lieutenant. However the entire stipend will be paid in lump sum only on reporting for training at IMA. From the date of joining IMA they will be entitled to full pay and allowances and other benefits as admissible to regular officers. Engineering graduates who possess the prescribed qualification will be granted one year ante-date for purpose of seniority, promotion and increments of pay.
Technical Graduate Course
Those who are studying in final year/ have completed BE/B Tech in notified streams can also join IMA through Technical Graduate Course. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Jun & Nov/Dec every year. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at IMA, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lt during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.
Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit up to the number of vacancies available in each subject. On successful completion of training cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lieutenant. Officers may be granted commission in any Arms/Services and will be liable for service in any part of the world on selected appointments as decided by Army Headquarters from time to time. One year ante date seniority from the date of commission will be granted to Engineering Graduates of TGC Entry.
AEC (Men)
Candidates who have passed Post Graduate Degree MA/M.Sc in subjects as per Notification /M.Com/MCA/MBA with 1st or 2nd Division are only eligible. Final Year appearing/Result awaiting students are not eligible. For details of Notification visit Recruiting Directorate Website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in
Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at IMA, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lieutenant during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.
On successful completion of training cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lieutenant. Officers may be granted commission in any arms/services and will be liable for service in any part of the world on selected appointments as decided by Army Headquarters from time to time.
Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit up to the number of vacancies available in each subject.
Officers Training Academy, Gaya
Short Service Commission
You also have the option of Joining the Army and serving as a Commissioned Officer for 10/14 years. At the end 10 yrs you have 3 options. Either elect for a Permanent Commission or opt out or have the option of 4 years extension. They can resign at any time during this period of 4 yrs extension.
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.
Short Service Commission for Women (Officers)
The Indian Army also has women officers. You can take up the challenge of Short Service Commission and prove to the world that when it comes to courage and leadership, you're second to none.
In 1992, an important landmark in the history of Indian Army was the induction of women into the officer cadre, and the onerous task of training them was undertaken by the Officers Training Academy.
Women candidates who are recommended 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.
Revised Terms and Conditions of Service of SSCOs (Women both Technical and Non-Technical)
Prominent features of the revised policy are:
Extension of Tenure
Tenure of Short Service Commission. Short Service Commission (SSC), in the Regular Army will be granted for 14 years i.e. for an initial period of 10 years, extendable by 4 years.
Duration of Training. 49 weeks.
Substantive Promotion - SSCOs will be eligible for substantive promotion.
To the rank of Captain - on completion of 2 years reckon able commissioned service.
To the rank of Major - on completion of 6 years reckon able commissioned service.
To the rank of Lieutenant Colonel - on completion of 13 years reckon able commissioned service.
Officers Training Academy, Chennai
Once selected for Short Service Commission, you go to the Officers Training Academy at Chennai. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai according to your position in the final order of merit, up to the number of vacancies available at the time. Duration of training is 49 weeks (approximately 11 months) training at OTA, Chennai, on successful completion of which candidates will be granted commission in the rank of Lieutenant. Ante date seniority will be granted only to Technical Graduates joining through Technical Entry.
Training at OTA is at Govt. expense All candidates who successfully complete Pre-Commission training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai will be awarded "Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies” by University of Madras. 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.
Officers granted Short Service Commission are liable to serve anywhere in India and abroad.
The main entries for Men & Women both are as under:
Short Service Commission (Non Technical) Men & Women
Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and all important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of Jul and Nov. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of UPSC. Selection for short service commission is through a written exam conducted by the UPSC twice every year in the month Sept. and Feb, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). Courses are conducted at OTA, Chennai twice every year in the Months of April and October.
Short Service Commission (Technical) Men & Women
Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of January and July. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of Recruitment Directorate,www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Selection for short service commission is through the Services Selection Board (SSB) and there is no written exam for this entry as on date. The candidates are shortlisted for SSB interview based on the basis of cut off percentage applied on marks obtained by the candidates’ up to 6th Semester. Courses are conducted at OTA, Chennai twice every year in the Months of April and October.
Short Service Commission (NCC) Men & Women
Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of Jun and Dec. If you have done NCC Senior Division (Army) and obtained 'C' certificate with minimum 'B' grade, you can apply through your NCC Battalion from where NCC 'C' certificate has been issued to you.
Short Service Commission (JAG) Men & Women
To apply for JAG Entry, you have to be a Law Graduate with minimum 55% aggregate marks in LLB Degree (Three years professional after graduation or five years after 10+2 examination). The candidates should be eligible for registration with Bar Council of India/State. Candidate should be from a College/University recognized by Bar Council of India. Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of June and December. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of Recruitment Directorate, www.joinindianarmy.nic.in