One of the ways to join the Indian Army after 12th or graduation is through the course entries for Officers (the other is through JCO/direct recruitment ). You can get a permanent commission, which means that your career in the army is till your retirement. To apply for permanent commission, you need to join the NDA or IMA. A short service commissions is granted for 14 years, that is for an initial period of 10 years which is extendable by a further period of 4 years. Male officers who are willing to continue to serve in the army after 10 years may, if eligible, be considered for the grant of permanent commission in the 10 th year of their service.