Career Options in Army


Those who like adventurous career may opt for Army which involves patriotism, bravery and a respectful life. People pay high respect to the person working in Army and hold gratitude for protecting the country. Army persons also assist in rescuing the trapped during the natural calamities. Thus, choosing Army as career itself is a noble act that one can do for the country.

How to enter Army?

One must be brave, logical with good team management, mentally balanced and disciplined. Physical fitness is another major issue in the selection.

One can enter Army through the exams conducted by the commissions. There are two types of commissions.

  • Permanent Commission – Allows to work till retirement
  • Short-Term Commission – Allows working for minimum 10 years and can be extended up to14 years.

For the permanent Commission, joining in The National Defence Academy or Indian Military Academy is compulsory.

The National Defence Academy (NDA) selects the candidates through an entrance exam followed by interview and medical tests. It provides graduation degree (B.Sc./B.Sc. (comp.) / B.A.) including Defence Application Course.

Indian Military Academy (IMA) selects the final year graduate candidates through Combined Defence Service Examination(CDSE) conducted by UPSC followed by Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and medical test.

Apart from the examination, there are other modes of entries to get into IMA. These entry modes enable the candidates to be called directly for the SSB interview followed by medical fitness test. They are:

  • 10+2 Tech Entry : * 70% score with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in 10 +2 * Age must be between 16 ½ to 19 years * five years training
  • University Entry Scheme : * Pre Final year students only who are between 19 to 25 yrs *one year training
  • Technical Graduate Course (Engineers/Education): *Aged between 20 to 27 years with B.E. or B.Tech./ M.A. or M.Sc. *One year training

Short Service Commission enables men and women candidates to enter the Army. The commission also allows the officer to continue his services by selecting the option for Permanent Commission at the end of the period. It involves Technical and Non-Technical Men and Women recruitment.

The officers must undergo training for 49 weeks. Women Special Entry Scheme, NCC Special Entry Scheme for men and women, JAG Men are the schemes of the commission.

The medical graduation from Armed Forces Medical College allows the recruitment as Permanent Commissioned Medical Officer in the Army.

What are the cadres in Army?

  • Soldiers (General Duty / Technical/ Clerk / Store Keeper Technical/ Nursing Assistant / Tradesmen)
  • Surveyor Automated Cartographer (Engineers)
  • Junior Commissioned Officer (Religious Teacher/ Catering)
  • Havildar Education
  • Officers

The ranking structure of Army Officers:

  • Lieutenant
  • Captain
  • Major
  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • Colonel
  • Brigadier
  • Major General
  • Lieutenant General
  • General

The organizations under Indian Army Services are

  • The Armoured Corps
  • The Regiment of Artillery
  • Army Air Defence
  • Army Aviation Corps
  • The Corps of Engineers
  • The Corps of Signals
  • Mechanised Infantry
  • Infantry
  • Army Service Corps
  • Army Medical Corps
  • Army Dental Corps
  • Army Ordnance Corps
  • Corps of EME
  • Remount and Veterinary Corps
  • Military Farms Services
  • Army Education Corps
  • Corps of Military Police
  • Pioneer Corps
  • Army Postal Service Corps
  • Territorial Army
  • Defence Security Corps

Thus, apart from the Fighting force, Army provides opportunity to the people from several other fields like medical, law, teaching etc to serve the country.

Choosing Army as career option is prospective and reverent. The career assures professional as well as personal satisfaction.

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