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 1st
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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