Do you want to become an Officer in the Indian Army? If yes, this article will be of help to you. In this article, I’ve covered various Officer entry schemes, eligibility criteria and relevant entrance examinations. This guide will be of help to both male and female aspirants.
Becoming an Officer in the Indian Army is not an easy task. The Army recruits only the best candidates. The selection process is quite tough and filters the best from the rest!
Becoming an Officer in the Indian Army is a matter of pride for the candidate as well as his/her family. This career offers good salary, perks, lifestyle, retirement benefits and loads of other benefits. Also check – Army soldier recruitment.
When it comes to Indian Army’s Officer selection, there are various schemes and entry methods. The prominent entry schemes are as follows –
- Intermediate 10+2 entry- for men only
- Graduate UPSC entry – for men and women
- Graduate non UPSC entry – for men and women
- Graduate Technical entries – for men and women
- Service entry – for men only
- Miscellaneous entries – for men only
As mentioned above, some entry schemes are reserved for male candidates only. Other entry schemes are open for both male and female aspirants.
If you want to become an Officer in the Indian Army, you may make use of the above mentioned entry schemes. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and relevant entrance test. You will be reading about each entry scheme, its eligibility criteria and entrance test in the next section. Also check – Become commercial pilot in India.
Table of Contents
Become an Officer in the Indian Army: Step-by-step guide
1 Intermediate 10+2 Entry
This scheme is meant for male candidates only. There are two entrances under this scheme. They are –
- NDA Entry
- TES (Technical Entry Scheme – 10+2)
# NDA Entry
Vacancies Per Course – 320 (Twice a year). Army – 208 Air Force – 70 Navy – 42.
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Jun and Dec, Notified by UPSC.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 ½ to 19½ yrs as on first day of the month in which course is due to commence | 12th Class of 10+2 System of Education of Equivalent for Army and with Physics and Maths for AF/Navy | Unmarried | Apply online on UPSC website | Sep to Oct for Jan Course and Jan to Apr for Jul Course |
# TES 10+2 Entry
Vacancies Per Course – 90 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by DG Rtg AG’s branch IHQ of MOD(Army) in May/Jun & Oct/Nov.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 ½ to 19½ yrs as on first day of the month in which course is due to commence | 10+2 Physics, Chemistry & Maths (aggregate 70% and above to apply) | Unmarried | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Aug to Oct and Feb to Apr |
2 Graduate UPSC Entry Schemes
# IMA Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 200 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Jul and Nov.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 24 years | Graduation from Recognised University | Unmarried | Apply online on UPSC website | Aug / Sep and Feb / Mar |
# OTA SCC (Non Technical) for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 175 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Jul and Nov.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 25 years | Graduation from Recognised University | Unmarried or married | Apply online on UPSC website | Nov / Dec and May / June |
# OTA SSC (Non Technical) for Women
Vacancies Per Course – 12 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Jul and Nov.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 25 years | Graduation from Recognised University | Unmarried | Apply online on UPSC website | Jun / July and Nov / Dec |
3 Graduate Non UPSC Entry Schemes
# SSC (JAG) for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 10 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jul/Aug and Jan/Feb.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 27 years | Graduate with LLB with 55% marks. Eligible for Registration with Bar Council of India / State | Unmarried or married | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Dec / Jan and Jul / Aug |
# SSC (NCC) Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 50 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun and Dec.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 25 years | Graduate with 50% Aggregate marks, Two Years service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam | Unmarried | Apply offline as Notified in the Notification through NCC Dte | Dec / Jan and Jun / July |
# SSC (JAG) Entry for Women
Vacancies Per Course – 4 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jul/Aug and Jan/Feb.
Also read: How to become a Pilot in the IAF
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 27 years | Graduate with LLB with 55% marks. Eligible for Registration with Bar Council of India / State | Unmarried | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Dec / Jan and Jun / Jul |
# SSC (NCC) Entry for Women
Vacancies Per Course – 4 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun and Dec.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 25 years | Graduate with 50% Aggregate marks, Two Years service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam | Unmarried | Apply offline as Notified in the Notification through NCC Dte | Dec / Jan and Jun / July |
4 Graduate Technical Entries
# UES (University Entry Scheme) for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 60 (Once a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun/Jul.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years | Pre Final year students of Notified Engineering Streams | Unmarried | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | November to February |
# TGC Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 60 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 27 years | BE / B Tech in notified streams of Engineering | Unmarried or married | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Mar / Apr and Sep / Oct |
# SSC (Technical) Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 100 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun / Jul and Dec/Jan.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 27 years | Engineering Degree in notified stream | Unmarried or married | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Dec-Jan and Jun-Jul |
# AEC Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 20 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 to 27 years | MA / MSc in 1st or 2nd division in notified subjects from recognised university | Unmarried or married | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Mar / Apr and Sep / Oct |
# SSC (Technical) Entry for Women
Vacancies Per Course – 20 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun / Jul and Dec/Jan.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | How to Apply | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 27 years | Engineering Degree in notified stream | Unmarried | Apply online on joinindianarmy.nic.in website | Dec-Jan and Jun-Jul |
5 Service Entries
# ACC Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 75 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by MP Directorate / AGs Br through Units in Mar and Aug.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 27 years , minimum service two years can apply | 10+2 Pattern Class 12th pass or Equivalent. Should have qualified ACC written test | Unmarried or married | Sep to Nov for Jan Course Mar to May for Jul Course |
# PC (SL) Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 100 (Once a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by MP Dte / AGs Br through Units in Apr and Jul.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum age 40 years, 45 years for Engineers & 45 years for IOB Minimum service 10 years | Matric & Above | Unmarried / Married Serving JCOs / NCOs excluding Sepoys | Sep and Oct for Jul Course |
# SCO Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – 100 (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by MP Directorate / AGs Br through Units in Apr and Jul.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 to 35 years. minimum service of five years can apply | Matric with One Year Diploma or Above | Unmarried or married | Jul/Aug for Jan Course & Nov/Dec for Jul Course |
6 Miscellaneous Entries
# Territorial Army (TA) Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – Notified by Line Directorate (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Notified by TA Directorate.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 42 | Graduate from a recognised university | Unmarried or married | Aug / Sep & May / Jun |
# RVC Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – Notified by Line Directorate (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Nov / Dec , Notified by RVC Directorate.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 32 | BVSc & AH | Unmarried or married | Sep / Oct |
# AMC (NT) Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – Notified by Line Directorate (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Nov / Dec , Notified by AMC Directorate.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 years (maximum) | Matric (minimum) | Unmarried or married | Nov / Dec |
# APS Entry for Men
Vacancies Per Course – Notified by Line Directorate (Twice a year).
Notification Published in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper – Nov / Dec , Notified by APS Directorate.
| Age | Educational Qualification | Marital Status | Likely SSB Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 years (maximum) | Matric (minimum) | Unmarried or married | Sep /Oct |
Those were Indian Army’s various Officer selection schemes. As I mentioned before, each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and requirements. Select an entry scheme that suits you the best and register for the same.
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