There are several ways to join Indian Army as an officer apart from the well-known ones. Here is the list of examinations that you can give if you are willing to serve the country as an officer:
- NDA (National Defence Academy)
UPSC organizes this entrance exam twice every year for the candidates who have passed their 10+2. You will need to acquire the minimum marks to be able to become eligible for the interview process. If you succeed in the medical test and interview, you will be admitted for further training in NDA. Make sure that you are aware of the NDA exam pattern and read it thoroughly before you start preparing for it.
- CDSE (Combined Defence Services Examination)
This exam is conducted by UPSC twice every year and can be given by university graduates who are in their final year or have already passed their university exam. You will need to go through the SSB interview after the exam after which you will receive 18 months training at the IMA/AFA/ Naval Academy.
- 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES):
This exam can be given by those candidates who have passed 10+2 CBSE/ICSE/State Board Examination with a minimum of 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics combined. If you clear the SSB interview, you will undergo basic training at the Training Academy after which you will need to go for three years engineering degree course in the respective streams.
- Technical Graduate Course
Engineering graduates from the notified disciplines having minimum aggregate marks can give this exam to get entry into the Army Education Corps and MSc in Agriculture/Dairy for Military Farm for Permanent Commission. You will be given one year of training at IMA if you are selected for the course.
- Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry
The eligible candidates will be given entry into the Technical Arms of the military. After a successful selection, the candidates will need to go through the training at OTA, Chennai after which they will be commissioned as officers.
- NCC (Special Entry Scheme)
Candidates who have been involved in the NCC are eligible for this entry wherein they will directly need to pass the interview to join as an officer.
- Judge Advocate General Entry
Law graduates too can join the army as an officer through this scheme. They need to have a minimum 55% aggregate marks in LLB, and their age limit should be 21 to 27 years of age. The candidates who pass the exam will be called for SSB interview and medical intervention after which they will be given permanent commission.
- Short Service Commission Women
Women too can join the army through this scheme in different areas of the military. This exam can be given by both technical and non-technical candidates. After the selection, the selected candidates are given training at the OTA and then commissioned as an officer.
Hope you are now aware of different schemes through which you can join the forces and serve the country.
