Serving the country is one of the noblest jobs one can have. A job in the army is highly adventurous and duty oriented. Indian Armed forces are divided into three sections of action; Army, Navy and Air Force. All Indian citizens and people of Indian origin as well as NRIs with a valid Indian passport can join the Indian Armed Forces by clearing the mandatory eligibility criteria. Those with the right skill sets and physical attributes can opt for a career in the army in various fields.
Scopes for careers in Armed Forces
- Numerous vacancies open up in the military services, and they recruit eligible candidates frequently to fill these vacancies. More than 1,07,000 positions are vacant in the three services, with the Army topping the list with around 86,000 vacancies.
- Service in the army ensures economic stability. The salary has shot up recently and appears to be at par with any other central government services.
- Job security and better after-retirement plans are some of the attractions of the profession. Statutory rules and regulations exist to safeguard the interests of the servicemen adequately both while in service and after retirement.
- Armed force as a profession secures the complete need of soldiers and their families. Officers in the armed forces are eligible for facilities like free schooling for children, free medical facilities for dependents, canteen facilities, loan facilities and accommodation.
- The service also offers the opportunity for courses and postings abroad. The Indian Army is renowned all over the world and service with UN Forces provides exposure and travel opportunities across the globe.
- Different professionals such as doctors, nurses, engineers etc. are also employed within the armed forces.
Skills Required to Study Armed Forces
- Leadership skills
- Ability to work in a team and as a team
- Technological knowledge
- Physical strength
- Mental strength
Careers in Armed Forces
ARMY
- Sepoy
- Naik
- Havildar
- Naib Subedar
- Subedar
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lt Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier
- Major General
- Lt General
NAVY
- General Service Officer
- Hydrographer
- Pilot
- Observer
- Logistics Officer
- Naval Armament Information Officer
- Information Technologists
- Air Traffic Control Officer
- Judge Advocate General
- Physical Training Officer
- Musician Officer
AIR FORCE
- Fighter Pilot
- Helicopter Pilot
- Transport Pilot
Eligibility to Pursue a Degree in Armed Forces
Criteria for physical eligibility differ with respect to the posts. For further information, visit https://indianarmy.nic.in
ARMY
- Sepoy
- Soldier General Duty: 18 – 21 Years, 10th pass with 45% mark
- Soldier Clerk/ Store Keeper: 18 – 23 Years, 10+2 pass with 60% mark (Maths & English)
- Soldier Tech: 18 – 23 Years, 10+2 pass with 50% mark (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
- Soldier Nursing Assistant: 18 – 23 Years, 10+2 pass with 50% mark (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Soldier Tradesman: 18 – 23 Years, 10th pass
2. Havildar
- Havildar (Education): 21 – 25 Years, BA/BSC/BCA with B.Ed
- Surveyor Auto Carto (Engineers): 20 – 25 Years, BA/BSC with Maths
3. Naib Subedar
- Religious Teacher: 27 – 34 Years, Graduation + Qualification in religion
- Catering JCO: 21 – 27 Years, 10+2 with Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology
4. Lieutenant
- NCC Special: 19 – 25 Years, Graduate with 50% marks, A or B grade in NCC Certificate
- Short Service Commission: 19 – 25 Years, BE/BTech/B.Arch
- Short Service Commission (Non-Tech): 19 – 25 Years, Graduate
- Indian Military Academy (Non-Tech): 19 – 24 Years, Graduate
- National Defence Academy: 17 – 20 Years, 10+2 pass
- JAG: 21 – 27 Years, LLB graduate with 55% mark and registered under Bar Council of India/State
- TGC: 21 – 27 Years, BE/BTech/B.Arch
- UES: 18 – 24 Years, Pre Final student of Engineering Degree Course.
NAVY
- General Service Officer: BE/BTech
- Hydrographer: BE/BTech with 60% marks
- Pilot: BE/BTech with 60% marks under AICTE recognized institute.
- Observer: BE/BTech with 60% marks under AICTE recognized institute.
- Logistics Officer: BE/BTech
- Naval Armament Information Officer: BE/BTech with 60% marks under AICTE recognized institute
- Information Technologists: BE/BTech with 60% marks under AICTE recognized institute
- Air Traffic Control Officer: BE/BTech with 60% marks under AICTE recognized institute
- Judge Advocate General: Degree in Law
- Physical Training Officer: Must have at least one of the following qualifications
- Should have participated in the Sr National Championship conducted by YAI and secured a minimum of 5th position in an Olympic class.
- Should have attained a position amongst the top 50% of the fleet in a class of boat/windsurf completed at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.
- Should have represented India at the Asian Games or ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships and secured a medal in Youth/Olympic Classes.
- Musician Officer: Bachelor degree in Music and ability to play military band musical instruments.
Entrance Examinations
- UPSC NDA & NA – National Defence Academy and Naval Academy exam is held twice a year. Candidates must have completed 10+2 examinations, and they should appear for an offline mode examination and SSB interview. By clearing these two stages, they can undergo a three-year course in NDA, Khadakwasla.
- UPSC CDS – graduate level exam conducted by UPSC for the posts of Officers in defence services. They should also clear the SSB interview.
ARMY
- Indian Army Cartographer Examination
- Indian Army Havildar Examination
- Indian Army JCO Religious Teacher Examination
- Indian Army Soldier General Duty Examination
- Indian Army Tradesman Examination
- Indian Army Clerk Examination
- Indian Army JCO Catering Examination
- Indian Army Nursing Examination
- Indian Army Technical Examination
NAVY
- Indian Coast Guard – Graduate-level exam for the post of Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant
AIR FORCE
- AFCAT – Air Force Common Admission Test is held twice a year. Graduated candidates can apply for this exam. Age – In between 20 – 24 Years, Marital Status – Single
- Indian Air Force Group X & Y – 10+2 level exam is held every year for the selection as Airmen in Group X & Y.
Top Colleges/Universities in India and Abroad to Study Armed Forces
- The National Defence Academy, Pune
- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
- Officers Training Academy, Chennai
- Officers Training Academy, Gaya
- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
Famous People Connected With Armed Forces
General Bipin Rawat
General Bipin Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC was an Indian military officer who was a four-star general of the Indian Army. He served as the first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020.
Major Somnath Sharma
Indian Army officer. He was the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India’s highest military decoration.
Top Institutions that Employ People in this Field
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
