If you are one of those, who want to join the Indian Army as an Officer after Graduation in 2021, then this article is for you. It shows how a Technical or Non-Technical Graduate has the same opportunity for Joining the Indian Army as an Officer. In this article, you can find all the necessary details on every possible entry and exam for joining the Indian Army as an Officer after completing your graduation.
Indian Army is synonymous to sacrifice, patriotism & Valor, and joining such an esteemed organization is not just a matter of Pride but a dream of many. Joining Army or becoming a Soldier is one of those professions which every child has dreamt of during some phase of his childhood, especially when they have seen someone in those attractive Olive Green Uniforms. Joining the Indian Defense forces is not just a job but a way of living a life.
Recruitment in the Indian Army is voluntary and is open for
- All Indian Citizens,
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan or
- Tibetan refugees who came over to India before 1962 or
- People whose origins are from India, who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the sole intention of permanently settling in India with family.
In General, there are 2 levels or posts through which you join Indian Army.
- As an Officer – through various entries after clearing SSB Interview
- As a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)/Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) – through Indian Army Recruitment rallies & other exams
In this article, we will focus on ways of Joining the Indian Army as an Officer after Graduation.
The First Chance to Join the Indian Army is directly after the 12th Standard.
How to become an Indian Army Officer after 12th Standard?
- There are 2 ways through which you can join the Indian Army after the 12th standard
- NDA Entry – there is a written examination for Joining NDA or National Defense Academy. Students who qualify in this exam are called for SSB Interview based on Merit List. Once they clear the SSB Interview and Medical tests, they have to undergo rigorous training of 3 years at NDA, Pune and thereafter for 1 year at either Indian Military Academy (IMA), Airforce Academy (AFA), or Naval Academy (NA).
- TES Entry – Technical Entry Scheme or TES entry is without any written exam and is for 12th Science Students. It is based solely on 12th standard performance in PCM Subjects of students. Interested candidates fill out the form, and the merit list is prepared based on the number of applications. They undergo 5 years of training before inducting into the Indian Army.
15 Tips To Crack Group Discussion at SSB Interview in 2021
How to Join Indian Army as an Officer after Graduation in 2021
There are basically 9 ways to join the Indian Army as an Officer after Graduation in 2021.
Before starting, we must know that there are six types of commission in The Indian Army out of which only Two Types of Service Commissions are used for direct entry as an Officer in Indian Army
- Permanent Commission
- Short Service Commission
CDS or Combined Defense Services Entry
- What is CDS Entry
- CDS or the “Combined Defense Services” is a national-level defense entrance examination that is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of candidates into the premier Institute of Indian Defense forces – Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Indian Air Force Academy (AFA).
- Their selection is based on a written examination followed by SSB Interview. The shortlisted candidates will be placed at the respective academies based on their submitted preference and merit list.
- Procedure – Offline Mode
- There is a written exam for all the entries
- For IMA, INA, and AFA which comprises three papers – Basic English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper is of 100 marks, which sums up to 300 marks. The total time for all three papers is 3 hours
- For Officers’ Training Academy consists of two sections, English and General Knowledge. The total mark of the test is 200. Total Time – 2 hours candidates qualifying for the written exam will be called for SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test.
- For Officers’ Training Academy consists of two sections, English and General Knowledge. The total mark of the test is 200. Total Time – 2 hours candidates qualifying for the written exam will be called for SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test.
- There is a written exam for all the entries
- Educational Qualification
- For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, candidates must be a graduate
- For the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
- For the Indian Air Force Academy, a degree or Bachelor of Engineering is necessary. These candidates must have passed their 12th with Physics and Mathematics as a subject.
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year – October and August
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year – October and August
- Month of Exam
- The UPSC will conduct the CDS exam twice a year in the month of February and September.
- Points to keep in Mind
- For IMA, INA & AFA
- Mathematics – which is of matriculation level along with Current Affairs will hold the key to written exam
- Time Management – solve previous year’s question papers to practice time management
- For OTA
- Reading English News Paper daily will not only improve your awareness of current affairs but also increase your command of the English language
- For IMA, INA & AFA
| Entry Name | Age Limit |
| For IMA | 19–22 years |
| For INA | 19–23 years |
| For AFA | 19–24 years |
| For OTA (MEN & WOMEN) | 19–25 years |
| Entry Name | Academy | Duration | Starting Rank |
| For IMA | Dehradun | 2 years | Lieutenant |
| For INA | Ezhimala | 2 years | Sub Lieutenants |
| For AFA | Hyderabad | 2 years | Flying Officer |
| For OTA (MEN & WOMEN) | Gaya & Chennai | 11 months | Lieutenant |
| CDS (2), 2021 Notification Date | 04-Aug-2021 |
| CDS (2), 2021 Last Date to Apply | 24 August 2021 |
| CDS (2), 2021 Release of Hall Ticket | Before 3-4 weeks of exam |
| CDS (2), 2021 Exam Date | 14-Nov-2021 |
| CDS (2), 2021 Result Date (expected) | Jan – Feb 2022 |
| Official Website | www.upsconline.nic.in |
UES or University Entry Scheme
- What is UES Entry?
- Every year online applications are invited by Unmarried Male Candidates from Engineering Colleges – who are in their Pre-Final or Final Year for permanent commission in the Indian Army.
- Procedure
- Once applied online, then a panel from a Command Head Quarter, where you have applied will either visit your college or you will be called there for a Preliminary Screening Test. Shortlisted candidates will be called for SSB Interview.
- List of Command where the application has to forward
| Name of Command | Address | States Applying for |
| HQ Northern Command | J&K | J&K |
| HQ Western command | Chandimandir, Punjab | Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Part of Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh. |
| HQ South Western Command | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Rajasthan and part of Haryana |
| HQ Southern Command | Pune, Maharashtra | Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Kerala |
| HQ Eastern Command | Kolkata, West Bengal | West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Andaman & Nicobar. |
| HQ Central Command | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Uttara hand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. |
- Educational Qualification
- Final and Pre Final year students of Engineering Degree Course
- Age Limit
- 19 to 25 yrs. for Final Year, 18 to 24 yrs. for Pre Final Year
- Date of Notification
- Every Year in July
- Points to keep in Mind
- Prescreening round plays a vital role in selection – in which they may conduct Group Discussion and a Personal Interview.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE of current affairs, and your CONFIDENCE are some major areas on which you will be judged.
- Training
- Indian Military Academy – IMA, Dehradun
Technical Graduate Course – TGC Entry
- What is TGC Entry
- Every year online applications are invited by Unmarried Male Candidates from Engineering Colleges – who either in The Final Year or have completed their Engineering Degree for permanent commission in The Technical Branch of The Indian Army. This entry is for Permanent Commission in The Indian Army.
- Procedure
- One must apply online for TGC entry through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- After submitting the application online, print your online application form and send it along with other documents as mentioned in the notification.
- Indian army decides the cut-off percentage based on total applications and shortlists the candidates. So at the time of applying for this entry, there are no percentage criteria.
- Once Shortlisted, you will receive a call letter for SSB
- Educational Qualification
- BE / B Tech in notified streams of Engineers
- Age Limit
- 20 to 27 years
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year in May/June and November/December
- Points to keep in Mind
- Indian army decides the cut-off percentage based on total applications and shortlists the candidates. So at the time of applying for this entry, there are no percentage criteria.
- Training
- Indian Military Academy – IMA, Dehradun
SSC (T) or Short Service Commission (Tech) Entry for Men & Women
- What is SSC Tech Entry for MEN & WOMEN
- Every Year Online Applications are invited by The Indian Army from eligible unmarried Male and Female Engineering Graduates and also from Widows of Defense Personnel who died in harness, for granting of Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Technical branches of The Indian Army for Tech entry and Non-Technical Branch for Widows of Defense Personnel who died in harness.
- Procedure
- One must apply online for SSC Tech entry through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- After applying online through the website, The Head Quarter of the Ministry of Defence (Army) reserves the right for shortlisting of applications and fix the cutoff percentage of marks for each Engineering discipline/stream based on the total number of the application.
- After shortlisting, they will be intimated to mail and called for SSB Interview
- Educational Qualification
- SSC (Tech) (Men and Women) – Should have passed the requisite Engineering Degree course. Final year students can also apply.
- Widows of Defense Personnel who Died in Harness – Should be Graduation in any Discipline
- Age Limit
- For SSC (Tech) Men and SSC (Tech) Women – 20 to 27 years
- For widows of Defense Personnel who Died in Harness Only – not more than 35 Years
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year in May/June and November/December
- Training
- Officers Training Academy – OTA, Chennai
NCC Special Entry
- What is NCC Special Entry
- Every Year The Indian Army invites Applications from NCC Cadets who have completed their C Certificate with an “A” or “B” Grade and have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation Application is for Short Service Commission
- Procedure
- One must apply online for TGC entry through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- After submitting the application online, The Head Quarter of the Ministry of Defense (Army) reserves the right to shortlist applications based on a number of applications.
- After shortlisting, they will be intimated to mail and called for SSB Interview
- Educational Qualification
- NCC “C” Certificate with “A” or “B” Grade
- Any Graduate with 50% Aggregate marks
- Those studying in the third year can also apply, provided they have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the first two years. Such candidates will need to secure an overall aggregate of a minimum of 50% marks if selected in an interview failing which their candidature will be canceled
- Age Limit
- 19 to 25 years
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year in April/May or October/November
- Training
- At Officer Training Academy – OTA, Chennai
JAG or Judge Advocate Generals Entry
- What is JAG Entry
- Every year the Indian Army invites Online Applications from unmarried Male and Female Law Graduates to serve a short service commission in the Judge Advocate General Branch of the Indian Army. Selected Male & Female Candidates will be granted Short Service Commission in Indian Army.
- Procedure
- Candidates have to apply online through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- After submitting the application online by applying on Short Service Commission JAG Entry Course, the Head Quarter of the Ministry of Defense (Army) reserves the right to shortlist applications
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for SSB Interview
- Educational Qualification
- You should have secured a Minimum of 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 as an advocate with the BAR Council of India/State.
- The candidate should be from a College/University recognized by the BAR Council of India.
- Age Limit
- 21 to 27 years
- Date of Notification
- Twice a year on April/May or October/November
- Training
- At Officer Training Academy – OTA, Chennai
AMC or Army Medical Corps Entry
- What is AMC Entry
- Every year online applications are invited from Indian citizens, who have cleared their final MBBS examination in the first or second attempt only, for grant of Short Service Commission in the Armed Forces Medical Services
- Procedure
- Candidates have to apply online through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called by a Board of Officers at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi for a personal interview, to assess their suitability and merit
- Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission in the Armed Forces Medical Services.
- All those candidates who have qualified in the interview, have to clear the Medical Examination constituted by DGAFMS for examining their medical fitness as per laid down by the Indian Army standards.
- Please note that there will not be any SSB Interviews for this Entry. The Only Interview by a Board of Officers at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cant will be final.
- Educational Qualification
- The candidate must have medical qualifications included in the First/Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule of IMC Act 1956
- The candidate must possess a permanent registration from any State Medical Council/MCI.
- Postgraduate degree/diploma holders recognized by State Medical Council/MCI/NBE can also apply.
- Those candidates who have taken more than two attempts to clear the Final Prof MBBS (Part I & II) Examination are not eligible to apply for the same.
- Age Limit
- Not more than 45 years of age
- Date of Notification
- Every year in the month of July
- Training
- Selected officers will undergo such preliminary training and test as may be prescribed by the DGAFMS.
TA or Territorial Army Entry
- What is TA Entry
- Applications are invited from gainfully employed citizens – either self-employed or working for any organization, for a serving in the regular army without sacrificing their primary profession. It is basically for those who want to serve the nation in two capacities, one as a soldier and the other their regular profession.
- Officers in Territorial Army have to serve for 2 or 3 months every year in the regular army. Officers commissioned in Infantry Regiments of Territorial Army may be required for military service for a longer duration, as and when required by the Army.
- The Territorial Army services are a part-time commitment for serving in the Army and not some full-time career option. The role of the Territorial Army is to assist or stand in for the regular army.
- They act as a secondary defense team for the nation. Their role is to relieve the regular army from static duties and assist the administration in situations such as calamities and maintenance.
- Procedure
- Candidates have to apply online through www.jointerritorialarmy.gov.in
- After successfully filling out the online form, they will be called for an offline screening test (written examination) followed by a preliminary interview done by the Preliminary Interview Board (PIB), by the respective Territorial Army Group Headquarters.
- Successful candidates will be called for SSB Interview
- Educational Qualification
- Graduation from a recognized university
- Gainfully Employed
- Age Limit
- between 18 and 42 years on the date of application
- Date of Notification
- Every year in the month of December/January
- Training
- One month of basic training in the first year of commission.
- Two months annual training camp every year including the first year.
- Three months Post Commissioning training within the first two years at IMA, Dehradun.
Army Education Corps or AEC Entry
- What is AEC Entry
- Online applications from Indian citizens, both male, and female, for AEC Recruitment in the Army Education Corps. Selected Officers will be recruited in Army’s Education Corps in permanent commission.
- Procedure
- Candidates have to apply online through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- After submitting the application online by applying on the Permanent Commission of AEC Entry Course. Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense (Army) reserves the right for shortlisting of applications
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for SSB Interview
- Educational Qualification
- MA/MSc in English/Geography/Economics/History/Pol Science/ /International Relation.
- M.Sc in Physics/Chemistry/Maths/ Zoology/ Botany/ Geology /Nano Science/Computer Science/Electronics
- MA in Foreign language
- You must have passed the exam with First or Second Division only
- Final Year appearing/Result awaiting students are not eligible.
- Age Limit
- 23 to 27 years.
- Date of Notification
- Every year in the month of April/May
- Training
- Indian Military Academy – IMA, Dehradun
Thus, these were the different entries through which you can join the Indian Army as an officer after graduation.
For any further queries or questions and to share your feedback, do comment below.