Summary

Summary

Many young students aspire to join the Indian Armed Services and serve the nation. Considered one of the most revered services in the country, the Defence Services has very tough selection criteria. Post the selection process; students should be mentally prepared for the fact that the training programmes are very rigorous and a strict regimen has to be followed. A career in the Armed Forces is full of adventure and has many life-changing experiences which broaden a person’s horizon. The expertise which individual gains while serving in the Armed Forces instils a strong value system. Discipline, integrity, leadership, comradeship, commitment, chivalry, dedication are some of the values that are integral to a soldier’s personality. A young officer dressed in the uniform commands respect and inspires many young students to join the defence services. The Indian Armed Forces comprise three verticals namely, Army, Navy and Air Force. Organisations such as the Indian Coast Guard and paramilitary organisations and other inter-service commands and institutions support the Indian Armed Forces.

The Union Public Service Commission conducts entrance namely, National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination for the intake of candidates in National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. The total number of candidates that are taken for training is 418 at NDA, Pune.

Career Prospects

Post the training programme officers have different job responsibilities in various verticals of the Armed Forces.

  • ARMY
  • General
  • Lt. General
  • Major General
  • Brigadier
  • Colonel
  • Lt. Colonel
  • Major
  • Captain
  • Lieutenant
  • NAVY
  • Admiral
  • Vice-Admiral
  • Rear-Admiral
  • Commodore
  • Captain
  • Commander
  • Lieutenant Commander
  • Lieutenant
  • Sub Lieutenant
  • AIRFORCE
  • Air Chief Marshal
  • Air Marshal
  • Air Vice Marshal
  • Air Commodore
  • Group Captain
  • Wing Commander
  • Squadron Leader
  • Flight Lieutenant
  • Flight Officer

Stream & Eligibility

To pursue a career in Defence Services a student should clear the below given eligibility criteria.*

Streams applicable (post-10th)

  • ARTS/ HUMANITIES
  • COMMERCE
  • NON-MEDICAL
  • MEDICAL
  • A student who is appearing for class 12th Board examinations or who has passed 12th classfrom CBSE or an equivalent board.(For Army Wing of NDA).
  • A student who is appearing for class 12th Board examinations or who has passed 12th class from CBSE or an equivalent board but along with Physics and Mathematics. (For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA.)
  • Students appearing for NDA entrance should not be less than 16 and half years of age and should not be more than 19 and half years of age.
* For specific courses, kindly refer to the respective college website for eligibility criteria and other details.

Courses/Specialization

The Indian Armed Services comes under Ministry of Defence and the training to the soldiers and officer cadets is provided by the government institutions only.There are autonomous institutes that are provided regular financial assistance which impart academic training in adventure activities. Below mentioned is the list of courses.After completion of three year undergraduate residential training program at NDA students are awarded a Bachelor’s degree of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

Courses

  • Bachelors of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Computer Science

Specialisations

  • Indian Army
  • Indain Navy
  • Indian Air Force
  • Para Military Force
  • Central Reserve Police Force
  • Border Security Force
  • Indo-Tibetan Border Police
  • Central Industrial Security Force
  • Sashastra Seema Bal
  • National Security Guard
  • Indian Coast Guard
  • Inter Service Organisations
  • National Cadet Corps
  • Department of Defence
  • Defence Research and Development
  • Department of Defence Production
  • Department of Ex-Service Welfare

Skill set/ Interests

A person should have the following skills and traits for a career in Defence Services:

  • Discipline
  • Communication Skills
  • Time Management
  • Risk Analysis
  • People Management Skills
  • Decision-Making Skills
  • Leadership & Motivational Skills

Major Entrance Exams

NDA & NA(National Defence Entrance Test)

For Admission in Army, Navy, Air Force

www.upsc.gov.in

CDS(Combined Defence Services)

After Graduation - For Admission in Army, Navy, Air Force

www.upsc.gov.in

AFCAT(Air force Common Admission Test)

After Graduation- For entry to Air force

www.afcat.cdac.in

CAPF(Central Armed Police Forces)

After graduation

www.upsc.gov.in

Top Colleges in India

A well researched list of some of the top colleges & academies in India and their entrance exams is mentioned below.

College / University Entrance Exam Website
National Defence Academy, Pune NDA www.nda.nic.in
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun CDS www.indianarmy.nic.in
Indian Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad NDA/AFCAT/CDSE/NCC www.indianairforce.nic.in
Indian Naval Academy, Kannur, Kerala NDA www.joinindiannavy.gov.in
BSF Academy Tekanpur, Gwalior CAPF www.bsf.nic.in
Training Centre & School, Meru, Hazaribagh CAPF www.bsf.nic.in
Central School Of Weapons And Tactics, Indore CAPF www.bsf.nic.in
Basic Training Centre at Bhanu, Haryana CAPF www.itbpolice.nic.in
ITBP Academy , Mussourie CAPF www.itbpolice.nic.in
Mountaineering & Skiing Institute, Auli CAPF www.itbpolice.nic.in
National Industrial Security Academy, Hyderabad CAPF www.nisa.ap.nic.in

Important Facts

  • The candidates have to appear for an NDA& NA entrance conducted by UPSC to gain entry in the Indian Defence Services. The entrance is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India.
  • The criterion for age limit is mentioned in the application forms and the details have to be filled very carefully.
  • The second round of selection consists of a SSB round which assess the candidate on various parameters. The Staff Selection Board interview process covers general aptitude,psychological testing, team skills including physical and social skills along with medical tests. The SSB round is considered one of the toughest hurdles in the whole examination process.
  • The selected candidates have to complete first three years of their training programme at NDA Khadakwasla, Pune.
  • After three years of training at NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune, those students who opt for Army complete one year of their training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
  • Those students who opt for Navy have to complete the final year of training programme from Indian Naval Academy at Kerala.
  • Students opting for Air force have to complete one and a half-year of training programme from Air Force Academy at Hyderabad.
  • There are some entrances such as AFCAT & CAPF, to name a few, where the candidate has to be a graduate, therefore students should be aware of important details regarding the age- limit and other eligibility criteria.