How to join the Indian Army through Officers entry

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.

Course entry after 10+2

1. NDA (UPSC)

• Age: 16 ½ to 19 ½ years as of the first day of the month in which the course is due to begin.
• Educational qualification: 12^th class of 10+2 or equivalent for the Army, with Physics and Maths for Airforce and Navy
• Duration of training: 3 years at NDA and 1 year at IMA
• Look out for notification in: May & December, the notifications being issued by UPSC
• Likely SSB date: September to October / January to April

2. 10+2 (TES)

• Age: 16 ½ to 19 ½ years as of the first day of the month in which the course is due to begin.
• Educational qualification: 10+2 Physics, Chemistry and Maths (aggregate 70% and above to apply)
• Duration of training: 1 year at OTA and 4 years at CTWs, with commission after 4 years.
• Look out for notification in: May & October, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: August to October / February to April

Course entry after Graduation

1. IMA (DE) (UPSC)

• Age: 19 to 24 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence in April and 1^st July in the year in which the course is due to commence in October.
• Educational qualification: Graduate from a recognized university.
• Duration of training: 1 ½ years
• Look out for notification in: July & November, the notifications being issued by UPSC
• Likely SSB date: August to October / February to April

2. SSC (NT) (UPSC) – for both men and women

• Age: 19 to 25 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence in April and 1^st July in the year in which the course is due to commence in October.
• Educational qualification: Graduate from a recognized university.
• Duration of training: 49 weeks
• Look out for notification in: July and November, the notifications being issued by UPSC
• Likely SSB date: November to December / July to August

3. NCC Special Entry – for both men and women

• Age: 19 to 25 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence in April and 1^st July in the year in which the course is due to commence in October.
• Educational qualification: Graduate from a recognized university with 50% aggregate marks, 2 years service in NCC Senior Div. Army with minimum ‘B’ grade of ‘C’ certificate exam.
• Duration of training: 49 weeks
• Look out for notification in: June and December, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: December to January/July to August

Graduate Technical Entry

1. TGC (Engineering)

• Age: 20 to 27 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence.
• Educational qualification: B.E. / B.Tech. in the streams as notified.
• Duration of training: 1 year
• Look out for notification in: April and October, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: March to April/September to October.

2. UES

• Age: 18 to 24 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence.
• Educational qualification: Pre-final year students of engineering degree course
• Duration of training: 1 year
• Look out for notification in: June, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: September to October.

3. TGC (Education) AEC

• Age: 23 to 27 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence.
• Educational qualification: MA/M.Sc. in the 1^st or 2^nd division in notified subjects from a recognized university.
• Duration of training: 1 year
• Look out for notification in: April and October, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: March to April/ September to October.

4. SSC (Technical) – for both men and women

• Age: 20 to 27 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence.
• Educational qualification: Engineering degree in notified streams.
• Duration of training: 49 weeks
• Look out for notification in: April and October, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: November to January for April course and May to July for October course.

5. JAG – for men and women

• Age: 21 to 27 years as of 1^st January of the year in which the course is to commence.
• Educational qualification: Graduate with LLB, with 55% marks. Eligible to enrol as an Advocate.
• Duration of training: 49 weeks
• Look out for notification in: June and December, the notifications being issued by Dte Gen Rtg/AG’s branch.
• Likely SSB date: December to January / June to July.

How to apply

Recruitment notifications for Officers’ entries to the Indian Army are published in the Employment News as well as in leading newspapers, as also on the official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

Selection process for UPSC entries

In your final year of graduation, you should pass the Combined Defence Services Exams which are conducted by UPSC. Then you should clear the SSB interview, be medically fit and join IMA as a direct entry provided you come in the merit list. Details of the exam dates and related notifications are uploaded at the UPSC website upsc.nic.in

Selection process for non-UPSC entries

If you meet the eligibility criteria as notified, you will be called for SSB to selection centres. Once recommended and provided you come on the merit list, you can join training academies at IMA and OTA. After successful training, you will be commissioned as an Officer. You need to look for notifications in Rojgar Samachar and at the official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

Note: You can also apply after passing the 10+2 exam with minimum 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. After the SSB interview, the Recruiting Directorate will put up a merit list.

Contact Information

Directorate General of Recruiting, AG’s Branch,

IHQ of MOD (Army),
West Block III,

RK Puram,
New Delhi – 110066

Ph: 011-26173215/26173601

Website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in