My first memory of anything related to the army was watching parts of the movie Border with my parents on our TV set. Well, the movie had released not long after I was born. So while I understood the parts of the movie that I watched, it didn’t trigger any emotional response in me.
However, in 2006, my opinion about the faujis changed completely. Rang De Basanti took our generation by surprise with it’s great storyline and Rahman’s music. We experienced foreign emotions like patriotism and the need to bring a change. Madahvan whisked us away along with Soha Ali Khan with his crisp army uniform.
Despite the plethora of benefits offered by the government to people in the defense forces, it is not the first choice for many civilians. This article aims at explaining the various approaches one can take if he/she wants to join the army for technical jobs.
Selected candidates are granted Short Service Commission or probation in the rank of Lieutenant (Lt.). from the date of their final selection in the case of final year students. For students who are in the 3rd year of engineering, this applies from the date of their joining the final year class.
Not just this! Selected candidates also get a monthly stipend when they are on probation (i.e. during the final year of their engineering) and during the training.
Eligibility Criteria
Age - Between 18 and 24 on date of commencement of training
Qualification - Pre Final year students of Notified Engineering Streams
No. of vacancies - 60
Training Academy - IMA, Dehradun
Duration of Training - 1 year
Major Benefit: The government pays your engineering fees for the last year
This option is open for both engineering grads and those who are still in their final year of engineering. Selection takes place on the basis of vacancies available in each stream, and the number of vacancies available are subject to change. The number of vacancies allotted for candidates of different branch of engineering varies. For example, there are higher number of vacancies for civil and mechanical engineers.
Eligibility Criteria
Age - Between 20 and 27 on date of commencement of training
Qualification - BE / B Tech in notified streams of Engineering
No. of vacancies - 60 (as notified) (twice a year)
Training Academy - IMA, Dehradun
Duration of Training - 1 year
PS: Technical Graduate Course is different from Technical Entry Scheme. Latter is for candidates who have 10+2.
Major Benefit: As compared to UES or TES, students who have already cleared their engineering can also join the army under this scheme.
The "Combined Defence Services" (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The minimum qualification for CDS is graduation. One may also apply if he is in the last year of his degree.
There is a written examination consisting of English, Math and GK, followed by the SSB interview.
You can also opt to go for the armed forces immediately after your 10+2. It can be done under the TES scheme.
4. Technical Entry Scheme
Under this scheme, you can choose to join the army as soon as you finish your 10+2 with PCM. Unlike other approaches, there is no written exam. One simply needs to clear the SSB Interview and the medical exam. However, you need a minimum aggregate of 70% in PCM in Class 12.
Age - Between 16 ½ and 19 ½ on date of commencement of training
Qualification - 10+2 with 70% aggregate in PCM
No. of vacancies - 90
Training Academy - 1 year at OTA, Gaya and 4 years training at “cadet training wings”.
Duration of Training - 5 years
NDA offers a full-time residential undergraduate programme to candidates for technical jobs in the army. It is a Joint Service Academy where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force train together before they go on to respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training.
Earlier, NDA provided a Baccalaureate degree (a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science). In 2015, B.Tech degree programme in Applied Electronics and Communication Engineering was introduced.
NDA is the first tri-services academy in the country. Current Chiefs Of Staff of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are all NDA alumni.
Major Benefit: If you haven’t scored a decent aggregate in PCM in Class 12, it is a good option to opt for NDA because unlike TES, it shortlists candidates based on the written exam only.
PS: Only unmarried candidates may apply for the NDA.
Joining the Indian Army can be a life-changing experience. You get the chance to serve your country and flash your smart uniform. And, the financial perks and miscellaneous benefits of joining the army are the cherries on top!
Image Credits: SSB CRACK
Heer Shingala
Writer. Sassy. My life is an endless conundrum between Destination Happiness and complacency. In a romantic relationship with Mumbai.
January 25, 2018
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