CAREER IN ARMED FORCES

INTRODUCTION

Indian defence force comprises of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. India can feel proud on it’s these three forces as they have defended the nation right from Independence Day to till date. These forces guarded the nation against all the external aggressors in the wars: in 1948 war against Pakistan, in 1962 war against China, in 1965 war against Pakistan, in 1971 war against Pakistan, in 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan.

One can join the Indian defence services at two levels on permanent commission and short service commission basis after qualifying 10 + 2 class. One can get entry in defence services by various methods like through NDA and after graduation through CDS.

A career in Armed Forces offers a rare blend of adventure, good career prospects, honour and high social standing. Several special concessions are offered by the Armed Forces to its officers who are not available in any other services. This includes provisions of free rations, facility from Departmental canteen stores where goods of day-to-day use are available at concessional rates, free first class railway warrant once in every year up to the home town to avail the leave, concessional railway warrants for subsequent journeys, two months annual leave, concessional furnished family accommodation, furnished bachelor accommodation in the officers’ mess at every station and free medical services through its various Military Hospitals and Regimental Medical Inspection Rooms. These special benefits are in addition to normal admissible benefits like the casual leave, Army Group Insurance Scheme, Provident Fund etc. Defence personnel after retirement from service are never out of opportunities for placements in industry administration, security services, etc

NATURE OF WORK

Indian Armed Forces render invaluable service to the nation, both in times of war and peace. Though the primary task is defending our nation against external aggression, many times it is called to restore internal strife and help in natural calamities. Nature of work in Armed Forces is diverse: e.g.

·         For Army: The Army constitutes of the infantry, armoured tanks, artillery, engineers, signal troops and other support staff. Infantry fights the enemy on foot by using rifles, sten guns, grenades, machine guns, mortars, anti tank guns, small rockets, etc. It holds the ground by physically occupying it during invasions or defends the ground and borders during peace. Artillery uses air defence guns and missiles to defend from enemy air attack, the field guns, rockets and tactical missiles are used for ground fire support to infantry or armoured regiments. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) are concerned with servicing, maintenance, repairs and fabrication of technical equipments such as rifles, vehicles, missiles, tanks, other weapons, communication equipment, helicopters, electric equipments etc. Engineers build roads, bridges, airfields and destroy enemy bridges, put obstacles for enemy movement, lay mine fields for their defence and destroying enemy minefields. Signals personnel provide, operate, maintain communication link between all troops in the battle field, all army establishments, between other arms and civil requirements as per army's need.

·         For Navy: The navy has a role to protect and safeguard the country’s exclusive economic zone, the ocean resources from exploitation by other countries and protect the coasts from any invasion, control the sea in war time to ensure the safe passage of our own ships and deny passage to enemy ships, attack enemy ships and submarines and defend offshore installations.

·         For Air force: An AIRMAN is a person who provides vital support to all air and ground operations. His responsibility is to ensure that all air and ground operations are running smoothly. Starting from operating defence systems, to fitting missiles, to action at the air base, he gives support functions to all missions. The airmen and airwomen work on flight support missions, handling base affairs, protecting bases, constructing new airstrips, guarding missile sites, even doing rescues. Fighter Pilots perform the basic role of defending the country from the aggressor, defend the skies of the nation from the enemy's air force and to strike at the very roots of the war machine of the enemy. Transport Pilots carry out the very routine task of taking cargo from one place to another, carrying urgently required men, material and explosives during the peace time and to keep all vital supply lines open during the war. Bombers are equipped with electronic devices, radars and cameras for using missiles and other explosives on enemy targets. Engineering staff is required to look after the communication system and sophisticated electronic networks. The tasks of ground duties personnel are very important without whom the Air Force would be incomplete. They perform the duties like general administration, procurement of equipment’s ration, clothing etc. and other necessary items, weather and forecasting it to ensure safe flying. Air Traffic Control Officer is required to provide control and advisory services to enable the pilots of military and civil aircrafts to conduct their flights with total safety in all weather conditions. Thus the nature of work depends on the branch in which one works.

CONDITIONS OF WORK

Service in Armed Forces demands spirit of adventure as well as unflinching loyalty and integrity for nation and readiness to lay down one’s life for the nation when required. Work involves defending territorial, coastal and air space integrity of our country against all external and internal threats. It also involves man management of highest order, continuous development of leadership qualities of highest order and on job training to achieve required perfection for these jobs. So the working conditions of the defence personnel are quite tough, challenging and risky. They have to work in all conditions round the clock to safeguard the nation. There is always danger to life in armed forces.

EARNINGS

Earnings in the Indian defence forces are between Rs. 18000/- to Rs. 80000/- and the other perks and allowances given to them are :

1.      Military Service Pay Rs. 6000/-

2.      Transport Allowance Rs 1600 to Rs. 3200 per month

3.      Free medical treatment including dependants

4.      Canteen facilities

5.      Insurance cover for Rs. 15 lakhs at subsidised premium

6.      Study leave up to 2 years with full pay and all benefits

7.      Free train travel once a year and subsidy for other journeys, LTC

Post Retirement Benefits

1.      Life long Pension

2.      Free medical treatment including dependants even after retirement

3.      Canteen facilities even after retirement.

4.      Jobs to the ex-service men in state government services.

5.      Appointment as governors of states, vice-chancellors of universities and members of state selection boards etc.

MODE OF ENTRY

The advertisement for recruitment to the various branches appears from time to time as per requirement normally twice every year in most of the national and important regional newspapers and also in the Employment News.

After short-listing of eligible candidates, short-listed candidates are then required to appear in the written examination conducted by the U.P.S.C. Women candidates are exempted from written examination they then appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB). Such candidates are allowed second class to and fro railway fares for the first time only. The selected candidates are then required to undergo a medical examination which is usually done by a special Medical Board at the nearest Military Hospital. The aspiring candidates must therefore ensure that they are in good physical and mental health and free from any disability which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their official duties. The Broad indications of medical standards are that the height and weight would not be less than 36 kgs. and 142 cms. respectively for women candidates and for men minimum 46 kgs. and 152 cms. Corrected distance vision should be at least 6/6 for better eye and 6/18 for the worse eye and myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D including stigmatism.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

INDIAN NAVY

The service comprises of five branches, Executive, Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Education.

Branch/Type of Entry	Unmarried Men/ Women	Age Limit (Years)	Educational Qualifications
EXECUTIVE BRANCH       Permanent Commission
1.   Cadet Entry (NDA)	Men	16 ½-19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths
2.   Cadet Entry (10+2) (Executive) Naval Academy, (Through NDA Exam.)	Men	16 ½-19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths
3.   Graduate Special Entry Naval Academy, (Through CDSE)	Men	19-22	B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or B.E.
4.   NCC Special Entry Naval Academy	Men	19-24	B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or B.E. with Naval Wing Senior Div NCC ‘C’ Certificate
5.   Direct Entry Naval Armament Inspection Cadre	Men	22-27	A Degree in Electronics/Elect/ Mech. Engg. or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physics
6.   Direct Entry Law Cadre	Men	22-27	A Degree in Law qualifying for enrolment as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks.
Short Service Commission
7.   Law Cadre	Men & Women	22-27	A Degree in Law qualifying for enrolment as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks
8.   Logistics Cadre	Men & Women	19 ½ -25	BA (Economics) II Div or B.Com II Div, or B.Sc Physics & Maths II Div, or B.Tech/BE or Graduation in any subject with Degree/Diploma in Material/Financial Management
9.   ATC (Air Traffic Control)	Men & Women	19 ½ -25	B.Sc II Div with minimum 50% marks with Physics and Maths.
10.  Hydro Cadre	Men	19 ½ -25	B.Sc II Div with minimum 50% marks with Physics and Maths.
EDUCATION BRANCH
Permanent Commission	Men	21-25	A Master’s Degree in one of the following with at least 55% marks: (a) Physics (with Maths in B.Sc) or (b) Maths (with Physics in B.Sc) or (c) Chemistry (with Physics & Maths in B.Sc) (d) Computer Application/Computer Science (with either Physics or Maths at Graduation level) or (e) Humanities (Eng./ Eco/Hist/Pol. Sc) or (f) An Engineering Degree in Mech/Elect/ Computer Science/Tech.
Short Service Commission	Men & Women	21-25	-do-
ENGINEERING BRANCH (MARINE ENGINEERS)     Permanent Commission
1.   Cadet Entry (NDA)	Men	16 ½ -19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths
2.   10+2 (Tech) Cadet Entry	Men	16 ½ -19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths (minimum 70% marks in aggregate of PCM, minimum 50% marks in English either in 10th or 12th class)
3.   Direct Entry	Men	16 ½ -25	A degree in Marine/ Mech/ Aeronautical/ Control/ Metallurgy/ Production Engg. or any other qualification recognized by the Institution of Engineers (India)
Short Service Commission
4.   Direct Entry	Men	16 ½ -25	Degree in courses mentioned at (c) above
ENGINEERING BRANCH (NAVAL ARCHITECTS)     Permanent Commission
1.   10+2 (Tech)	Men	16 ½ -19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths (minimum 70% marks in aggregate of PCM, minimum 50% marks in English either in 10th or 12th class)
2.   Direct Entry	Men	21-25	A degree in Naval Architecture/ Mech/ Aeronautical/ Civil/ Metallurgy Engineering
ELECTRICAL BRANCH                 Permanent Commission
1.   Cadet Entry (NDA)	Men	16 ½ -19	10+2 equivalent with Physics & Maths
2.   10+2 (Tech) Cadet Entry	Men	16 ½ -19	10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths (minimum 70% marks in aggregate of PCM, minimum 50% marks in English either in 10th or 12th class)
3.   Direct Entry	Men	16 ½ -25	A Degree in Elect/Electronics/ Telecommunication/ Engg. or any other qualification recognized by the Institution of Engineers (India) or Institution of Telecommunication Engineers (India)
Short Service Commission	Men	16 ½ -25	A Degree in courses mentioned at (C) above.

INDIAN NAVY

Branch	Unmarried Men/ Women	Age Limit	Qualification	Medical Standard
Seaman	Unmarried Man	17-20 yrs	Matric or equivalent with at least 55% marks. Candidates having less than 55% marks in Matric are also eligible provided they have obtained 55% or more marks in any higher board examination.	Minimum Height-157 cms with co-related weight proportionate chest with minimum 5 cms expansion. Good mental and physical health, free from any disease/disability. No Cardio-vascular, surgical deformities of infection of ears. No history of fits or phychiatric ailment.
Artificer apprentice	Unmarried Man	14-17 yrs.	Matric or equivalent with Science & Maths with 60% and above marks in aggregate or 55% or more marks in aggregate in any higher Board examination with Science & Maths.	Min Height-152 cms with co-related weight and proportionate chest with minimum expansion of 5 cms. Good mental and physical health, free from any disease/disability. No Cardiovascular, surgical deformities or infection of ears. No history of fits or psychiatric ailment.

INDIAN AIR FORCE

Branch/Type of Entry	Age	Qualification	Type of Commission
FLYING
1.   National Defence Academy (NDA).	16 ½ -19 yrs	10+2 with Physics and Maths.	Permanent Commission
2.   Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)	19-23 yrs.	B.Sc. Physics and/or Maths or BE.	-do-
3.   NCC Special Entry	19-23 yrs.	B.Sc. Physics and/or Maths or BE and Air Wing ‘C’ Certificate.	-do-
4.   Short Service Commission (Transport & Helicopter)	19-23 yrs 19-25 yrs (for Commercial Pilot Licence Holders)	B.Sc. Physics and/or Maths or BE.	Short Service Commission-Women.
TECHNICAL
1.   Direct Entry Scheme	18-28 yrs.	Degree in Engineering in Electronics/Mechanical/ Allied Subjects.	PC & SSC – Men SSC – Women
2.   University Entry	18-28 yrs.	Pre-Final/Final year of Engineering degree in Electronics/Mechanical or Allied subjects.	PC & SSC – Men
GROUND DUTIES
1.   Administrative	20 to 23 yrs.	1st Class Graduate	PC – Men SSC- Women
2.   Accountants	20 to 25 yrs.	IInd Class Graduate in subjects as given in the Newspaper Advt.	PC – Men SSC- Women
3.   Logistics	-do-	-do-	-do-
4.   Metereology	-do-	-do-	-do-
5.   Education	-do-	-do-	-do-
SSC FOR ADMIN
Fighter/Air Traffic Controller	20 to 23 yrs. 20 to 25 yrs.	1st Class Graduate 2nd Class Graduate	SSC - Men

INDIAN ARMY

Branch/Type of entry/Month of commencement of course each year	Age Limit		Educational eligibility/ Mode of selection
PERMANENT COMMISSION:
National Defence Academy.	16 ½ -19 yrs.	Minimum 10+2 with Physics & Maths. Through a written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (For Army only)	19-24 yrs	Degree or equivalent. Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) conducted by UPSC and SSB interview.
Direct Entry : Civilians (32 vacancies are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders for Army Wing)	19-24 yrs	Degree or equivalent. Combined Defence Services Exam.(CDSE) and SSB interview.
Engineering Graduates as Permanent Commissioned Officer.	20-27 yrs.	Engineering Degree in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/ Architecture/Production/Aeronautical Electronics/ Metallurgy Tele-Communication. SSB Interview.
University Entry Scheme Engineering Graduates.	19-23 yrs.	Pre Final/Final year students of Engg. Degree Courses. Campus interview followed by SSB Interview.
Army Education Corps and Army Ordnance Corps.	23-27 yrs.	Post Graduate Degree in subjects notified for each course. M.A/M.Sc. degree in 1st or 2nd division in the following : (a) Physics, (b) Mathematics, (c) Computer application, (d) Psychology, (e) Political Science. SSB Interview.
Military Farms.	20-27 yrs	Degree in Dairying/Agriculture. SSB Interview & Departmental Screening Board.
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION :
Officers Training Academy, Madras (For Army only).	19-25 yrs	Degree or equivalent at the time of joining the course. CDSE conducted by the UPSC and SSB Interview
Technical/Engineering.	20-27 yrs	Engineering Degree in notified discipline. SSB Interview.
Law Graduates for JAG’s Dept.	21-27 yrs.	Law Degree (professional) with 50% marks. Written Exam. conducted by JAG’s Dept. in March SSB Interview in July detailed advertisement in November.
Remount Veterinary Corps	21-32 yrs.	BVSC/BVSc. With AH Animal Husbandry from any Indian Univ. or its equivalent foreign degree. SSB Interview.
Women Special Entry Scheme (Officers) in Education/Law Administrative/Logistics branch.	19-27 yrs.	Post Graduate/Graduates with diploma in specified subject/ LLB (Professional)/Engineering Degree. SSB Interview.

There is a common nationwide UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam for the three services through the National Defence Academy (NDA) after 10+2. The other points of entry in Defence are:

• An open Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) exam for Medical service after 10+2 with science.
• For Naval Academy (Engineering) after 10+2 with science.
• Military Nursing service after 10+2 with science for girls.
• Army Technical Entry Scheme after 10+2 with science.

Besides above opportunities, other job options in Defence and protective services after X and XII are given.

The candidates must either be citizen of India or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan or of Tibetan Origin but of Indian Domicile, whose parents entered India as refugee prior to 1^st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India. Any person of Indian origin who migrated from the countries like Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malwai, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India is also eligible. However, all the candidates who are not the citizens of India but are otherwise eligible under any of the above mentioned categories must obtain and attach certificate of eligibility along with her application which is issued by the Government of India.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

The people who want to join these forces must be physically and mentally sound. They must be brave and courageous and taking challenges in life. They must be disciplined and free from any prejudices and they should have patriotic feeling.

ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTIONS

In Indian defence forces, there great scopes of getting advancement s and promotions: This list of promotions in the defence forces in India is as below:

1. Indian army: Sepoy, Havildar, JCOs, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lt. General, General (Chief of Army Staff).

2. Indian navy: seaman recruit, seaman, leading seaman, petty officer, warrant officer, Midshipman, Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Lt. Commander, Commander, Captain, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral (Chief of Navy Staff).

3. Indian Air Force: Air Craftsman, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, Officer Cadet, Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Marshal.

EMPLOYMENT /SELF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

These forces offer different entry level jobs for these youth of our nation. They may get job in Indian army, navy or air force for non commissioned officers or commissioned officers. They may also get job through permanent or short service commission. They may get job in technical, non-technical, education or medical fields. They can join these forces through NDA, IMA, CDS, AFMC etc. For the bright students there is an opportunity to join the defence forces as an officer through NDA or CDS and for the average and below average students who are physically and mentally fit they may get job as soldiers and get higher posts by getting promotions as there are enough time bound and direct promotions in the Indian defence forces. For technically trained diploma holders and graduates, there are various technical posts that they may get depending on their talent and skills that they possess. They have a chance to serve in medical stream through nursing diploma and degree besides M.B.B.S, M.D. /M.S. through A.F.M.C (Pune) or directly as medical officers or nursing staff. Thus they get an opportunity to get job and secure their future at the same time they also have an opportunity to serve the nation and show their patriotic feelings, courage and skills as well.

After retirement the defence personnel can get job in banks and public or private sector undertakings as security guards and officers. They also can get benefit of ex-service men in state government services and can get administrative and other lucrative posts. Even the defence officers are sometime appointed as governors of different states and vice chancellor of universities or members of selection boards in states.

TRAINING INSTITUTES

I.             National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla

II.          Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun

III.       Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

IV.       Army Cadet College (ACC), Dehradun

V.          National Defence College (NDC) New Delhi

VI.       The College of Materials Management, Jabalpur

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION:

1.      http://www.mod.nic.in/rec%26training/

2.      http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/index.asp?lang=1

3.      http://www.nausena-bharti.nic.in/

4.      http://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in/

5.      http://indianarmy.nic.in/Index.aspx?flag=sGlGXHTqppW8NUrRvTCHfA==

6.      http://indiannavy.nic.in/

7.      CERTIS

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CAREER IN ARMED FORCES