Defence
Content
DEFENCE:
CAREER GUIDE CAREER IN THE INDIAN ARMY . V.L. RENGA HRILER Join Indian army. Be a winner for life. reads one of the advertisement issued by the Indian army. With the recent introduction of time bound promotion up to the rank of colonel, army has become one of the hot destinations for youngsters, boys and girls alike. To become a commissioned officer in the Indian army, the entries can be broadly grouped into permanent and short service commissioned officer. Permanent commission When you opt for .permanent commission., you are basically looking at a permanent career in the army. A career till you retires. National defence academy (nda) and Indian military academy (ima) are the two institutions that you join for a permanent commission. The national defence academy, pune Nda houses some of the finest infrastructure for professional army training in the country. It gives you innumerable opportunities to develop your personality and cultivate new interests. In fact, you can choose from 31 different extra curricular activities including aero modeling, golf, gliding, sailing, wind surfing, astronomy and many more. NDA: you can take the NDA entrance exam conducted by upsc twice a year at the age of 16½ -19 and while studying in class xii. Once you clear this exam, the next step is services selection board (ssb) interview, which will last for 5 days. The last step in the process is a medical test. After this, all you have to do is wait for your 10+2 results and nda merit list. Once you clear these, you will be in nda. Three years in nda you will do your graduation and you will become a gentleman cadet before you get commissioned as an officer in the indian military academy. Indian military academy, dehradun Ima is yet another cradle of leadership that trains its men to lead from the front. .valour and wisdom. is its motto. Velour and wisdom is what exudes from every army officer who passes out of ima. CDSE: Admission at ima through Combined Defence Service Exam (cdse) can be taken at the age of 19-25 yrs and in your final year of college, by clearing the combined defence services exam (cdse) conducted by upsc in the month of February and September every year andthereafter ssb interview conducted by selection centre. UES: final and pre-final year students of engineering degree course aged between 19-25 yrs can apply through University Entry Scheme (ues) notified by additional directorate general recruiting, army hqs in the month of may every year. Initial screening is done through campus interview and thereafter ssb interview and medical test. TGC: married and unmarried be/b tech graduates with age between 20-27 yrs can apply through Technical Graduate Course (tgc) for direct ssb interview. First or high second class in ma/m sc age between 23-27 yrs can apply in Army Education Corps and m sc in agriculture age between 20-27 yrs may apply for Military Farms under the tgc entry. Vacancies are being notified twice a year in the month of april and October by additional directorate general recruiting, army hqs. For direct ssb interview and medical test. If you are a gentleman cadet (graduate from nda) or a technical (engineering) graduate, then your training at ima will last one year. Alternatively, if you are a graduate in any other stream selected through cdse under the direct entry scheme, your training will last 1½ years 10+2 tes: you can also apply in 10+2 technical entry scheme (tes) after passing 10+2 examination with at least 70% aggregate marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics and aged between 16 ½ - 19 ½.. If you meet the
eligibility criteria, you will be sent to the ssb. After the ssb interview, a merit list will be put up by the additional directorate general recruiting. Selected candidates through 10+2 tes are inducted for 1 year.s basic military training at ima. This would be followed by a 4 years degree course in engineering from college of military engineering, pune/ military college of Telecommunication engineering, Mhow/military College of electronics & mechanical engineering, secunderabad. The total duration of training is 5 years. On completion of 4 years of training, a commission in the rank of lieutenant is granted. For a degree in engineering, however, you will need to successfully complete the stipulated 5 years of training. At ima, you will get trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using computers and other modern training tools. This, coupled with exciting adventure sports like river rafting, Para jumping, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering, will ensure your all-round development. When you pass out of ima, you will be commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian army. (THE AUTHOR IS WORKING AS A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT OF INDIA) (TO BE CONCLUDED)
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION THE INDIAN ARMY HAS A WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE FOR ALL THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO SERVE FOR A FEW YEARS. IT IS CALLED SHORT SERVICE COMMI-SSION (SSC). IT GIVES YOU THE OPTION OF JOINING THE INDIAN ARMY, AND SERVING AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER FOR 14 YEARS I.E. FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF 10 YRS, EXTENDABLE BY 4 YRS. ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED 10 YRS OF SERVICE, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION. ALTERNATI-VELY, YOU CAN ALSO ASK FOR RELEASE FROM SERVICE ON COMPLETION OF 5TH YEAR OF SERVICE. WITH A SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION, YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. EVEN AS IT GIVES YOU THE PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS OF A FULLFLEDGED COMMISSION, YOU WILL BE IMBIBING QUALITIES LIKE ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS, PLANNING ABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS, ORGANISA-TIONAL TALENT THAT WILL MAKE YOU AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO ANY ORGANI-ZATION THAT YOU JOIN AFTER THE ARMY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, 5-14 YRS AS AN SSC OFFICER WILL MAKE YOU A LEADER FOR LIFE. OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY, CHENNAI OTA, CHENNAI IS WHERE YOU GO FOR TRAINING ONCE YOU ARE SELECTED FOR THE SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION. CDSE: SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION (NON-TECHNICAL) WRITTEN EXAM IS CONDUCTED BY UPSC UNDER THE COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICE EXAM TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER FOLLOWED BY THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. AN ASPIRING CANDIDATE AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YRS MAY APPLY WHILE STUDYING IN FINAL YEAR GRADUATION IN ANY DISCIPLINE IN RESPONSE TO THE ADVERTISEMENT. EVEN MARRIED MEN CAN APPLY FOR SSC (NT). SSC (TECHNICAL) MEN: MARRIED AND UNMARRIED TECHNICAL (ENGINEERING) GRADUATE WILLING TO JOIN SSC, DON.T NEED TO TAKE WRITTEN EXAM. VACANCIES WILL BE NOTIFIED BY ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING, ARMY HQ TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF APRIL AND OCTOBER. AGE ELIGIBILITY IS 20-27 YRS. ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS SCREENED AND SHORT-LISTED BY THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING AT ARMY HQ, YOU CAN DIRECTLY GO IN FOR THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION. JAG AND NCC: THERE ARE SPECIAL ENTRIES FOR SSC. MARRIED AND UNMARRIED GRADUATES IN LLB/LLM WITH 55% MARKS AND REGISTERED WITH BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA/STATE AND AGED 21-27 YRS MAY APPLY IN
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL ENTRY. GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE WITH 50% AGGREGATE MARKS AND 2 YEARS SERVICE IN NCC SENIOR DIV ARMY WING WITH MINIMUM .B. GRADE IN .C. CERTIFICATE EXAM MAY APPLY IN NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME. APPLICA-TIONS ARE TO BE ROUTED THROUGH NCC UNITS/GROUP HEADQUARTERS. BOTH JAG AND NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME HAVE DIRECT SSB INTERVIEW. ONCE IN OTA, YOUR TRAINING WILL LAST 11 MONTHS APPROXIMATELY. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE TRAINED TO BE AN OFFICER, AND GET AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE INTERESTING ACTIVITIES LIKE SKEET SHOOTING, GOLF, RIDING AND ANGLING. ULTIMATELY, OTA WILL EQUIP YOU TO TAKE ON THE WORLD WITH A BROADENED PERSPECTIVE ONCE YOU LEAVE THE ARMY. SPECIAL SCHEME FOR WOMEN (OFFICER) INDIAN ARMY RECRUITS TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL WOMEN AS A SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICER (WOMEN) . PREVIOUSLY WOMEN ENTRY IN THE ARMY WAS NAMED AS WOMEN SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME (OFFICER) WSES(O) WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED. SSC (WOMEN) HAS SINCE COMMENCED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 2008 COURSE ONWARDS. SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL GET TRAINED AT OTA, CHENNAI FOR A PERIOD OF 11 MONTHS. ON SUCCESSFUL TRAINING, THE LADY CADET WILL BE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN VARIOUS ARMS/SERVICES. TECHNICAL: YOU NEED TO BE A B TECH/BE PASS OR B SC (PCM) WITH 60% AGGREGATE AND AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YRS IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR SSC (TECH) WOMEN. EVEN FINAL YEAR/SEMESTER STUDENTS OF BE/B TECH CAN ALSO APPLY. NOTIFICATION INVITING ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES IS MADE TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF JUNE AND DECEMBER. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE INITIALLY SCREENED BY THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS. IF SHORT-LISTED, YOU WILL APPEAR FOR THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. NON-TECH: FOR SSC (NON-TECH) WOMEN, GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE OR WHILE STUDYING IN FINAL YEAR GRADUATION AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YEARS HAVE TO APPLY FOR WRITTEN EXAMINATION IN RESPONSE TO ADVERTISEMENT UNDER THE AEGIS OF COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICE EXAM CONDUCTED BY UPSC TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER AT THE AGE OF 19-25 YRS. ONCE YOU CLEAR THE WRITTEN EXAM YOU WILL BE CALLED FOR SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. NCC SPECIAL ENTRY: GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE WITH 50% AGGREGATE MARKS AND 2 YEARS SERVICE IN NCC SENIOR WING (ARMY) WITH MINIMUM .B. GRADE IN .C. CERTIFICATE EXAM MAY APPLY SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICER THROUGH NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME (NON-TECH) WOMEN. APPLICANT SHOULD BE 19-25 YEARS. YOU CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO NOTIFICATION ISSUED BY ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING, ARMY HQS TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF JUNE AND DECEMBER AND APPLICATION IS TO BE ROUTED THROUGH NCC UNITS/GROUP HEADQUARTERS. ANTEDATE SENIORITY TO TECHNICAL GRADUATES ANTEDATE SENIORITY OF 2 YEARS IS GIVEN TO ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL GRADUATES (MEN AND WOMEN) INDUCTED THROUGH TECHNICAL ENTRIES. THIS IS DONE IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXTRA TIME AND ENERGY THAT ONE SPENDS TO EARN THE ENGINEERING DEGREE BEFORE TRAINING. WITH THE ANTEDATE SENIORITY, YOU WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FASTER PROMOTIONS, IN ADDITION TO PAY BENEFITS. SPECIAL ENTRY FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VETERINARY GRADUATES: AMC AND ADC: RECRUITMENT FOR PERMANENT AND SHORT SERVICE
COMMISSION FOR MBBS/POST GRADUATE DOCTORS IN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS (AMC) AND BDS/MDS IN ARMY DENTAL CORPS ARE CONDUCTED BY DIRECTOR GENERAL ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICES (DGAFMS). IF YOU ARE MBBS/MD/MS/DM/BDS/MDS DEGREE HOLDER AND AGED BELOW 30 YRS FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AND BELOW 45 YRS FOR SSC, YOU CAN APPLY FOR DIRECT INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY BOARD OF OFFICERS, DGAFMS. CANDIDATES OF MBBS/BDS ARE COMMISSIONED AS DIRECT CAPTAIN IN THE INDIAN ARMY. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN AMC AND ADC MAY OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AFTER 2 YEARS OF RECKONABLE SERVICE PROVIDED THEY HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 30 YEARS AND 31 AND 35 YEARS FOR POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND DEGREE HOLDERS RESPECTIVELY. UNMARRIED WOMEN HOLDING B SC NURSING DEGREE AGED BETWEEN 18-25 YRS CAN APPLY FOR SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION IN MILITARY NURSING SERVICE (MNS) . THERE IS A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY GAFMS. SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN THE AMC. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN MNS MAY OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AFTER 5 YEARS OF RECKONABLE SERVICE. RVC: BACHELOR IN VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (B V SC &AH) CAN APPLY FOR REMOUNT VETERINARY CORPS (RVC) IN THE INDIAN ARMY. YOU SHOULD BE LESS THAN 32 YRS AND CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO ADVERTISEMENT MADE BY RVC DIRECTORATE AND DIRECT SSB IS CONDUCTED BY ARMY SELECTION CENTRE. TERRITORIAL ARMY (TA): ANY MALE OF INDIAN ORIGIN AGED BETWEEN 18-42 YRS IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING AS TA COMMISSIONED OFFICER. THE CRITERIA BEING THAT HE SHOULD BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED OR RUNNING HIS OWN BUSINESS. YOU CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO THE ADVERTISEMENT THROUGH THE TA GROUP HEADQUARTERS. CANDIDATES WHO QUALIFY THE SCREENING TEST OF THE GROUP HQS WILL BE CALLED FOR DIRECT SSB INTERVIEW IN THE ARMY SELECTION BOARD. FOR MORE INFORMATION NEAREST TA UNIT CAN BE CONTACTED. SSB INTERVIEW PROCEDURE SELECTION CENTERS FOR ARMY ARE LOCATED AT ALLAHABAD, BANGALORE AND BHOPAL. SSB TESTS ARE CONDUCTED OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS BY A TEAM OF THREE ASSESSORS: INTERVIEWING OFFICER (IO), PSYCHOLOGIST (PSYCH) AND GROUP TESTING OFFICER (GTO). FIVE DAY SCHEDULE IS AS UNDER:PHYSICAL STANDARDS: SUBJECT (A) DATE OF REPORTING (B) FIRST DAY (C) SECOND DAY (D) THIRD AND FOURTH DAY (E)CONFERENCE DAY ACTION DOCUMENTATION STAGE–I (SCREENING TEST) PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS AND INTERVIEW. OUTDOOR TESTS BY GROUP TESTING OFFICER AND INTERVIEW CONFERENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SSB RESULTS.
MEDICAL PROCEDURES CANDIDATES RECOMMENDED BY SSB WILL UNDERGO SPECIAL MEDICAL BOARD (SMB). THIS TAKES 5-7 DAYS. IF YOU ARE DECLARED UNFIT IN SMB, YOU MAY APPLY FOR APPEAL MEDICAL BOARD (AMB) TO ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING BY DEPOSITING RS 40 MILITARY RECEIVABLE ORDER (MRO) THROUGH BANK ALONG WITH APPLICATION FOR AMB WITHIN 42 DAYS FROM SMB. AGAIN IF YOU ARE UNFIT IN THE AMB, YOU CAN REQUEST FOR REVIEW MEDICAL BOARD (RMB) TO ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING WITHIN ONE DAY OF COMPLETION OF
AMB. HOWEVER, GRANT OF RMB IS UNDER THE DISCRETIONARY POWER OF DIRECTOR GENERAL ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICE (DGAFMS). MEDICAL STAN-DARDS (A) THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE FREE FROM WAX (EARS), DNS, HYROCELE/PHIMOSIS. DEFECTIVE COLOUR VISION, LASIK SURGERY, OVER/UNDER WEIGHT, UNDER CHEST, PILES, GYNECOMASTIA, TONSILLITIS, VERI-COCELE AND AIDS. (B) YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ 6/6 IN A DISTANT VISION CHART (C) COLOUR VISION STANDARD SHOULD BE CP-III (D) MINIMUM 14 DENTAL POINTS WITH SOUND TEETH PHYSICAL STANDARDS:   WOMEN NDA & 10+2 TES (UNDER GRADUATE ENTRY MEN) MINIMUM HEIGHT 152 CM 152 CM MINIMUM WEIGHT 42 KG 43 KG
CDSE, TGC, UES,NCC SPL AMC, RVC ETC. 157 CM (GRADUATE ENTRY MEN) (GRADUATE ENTRY MEN)
45 KG
MINIMUM HEIGHT REDUCED BY 2 CMS AND WEIGHT BY 5 KG FOR GURKHAS, N.E INDIA, GARHWAL AND KUMAON AREA CANDIDATES. THE CANDIDATES SHOULD CONFORM TO HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND AGE RATIO AS GIVEN IN THE NOTIFICATION. PROMOTION PROSPECTSSUBSTANTIVE PROMOTION: ON SUCCESSFUL TRAINING AT NDA, IMA OR OTA YOU WILL BE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN THE INDIAN ARMY. ON COMPLETION OF 2 YRS COMMISSIONED RECKONABLE SERVICE AS LIEUTENANT YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. ON COMPLETION OF 6 YEARS YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE RANK OF MAJOR AND AFTER 13 YRS OF RECKONABLE COMMISSIONED SERVICE YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL (11 YRS FOR AMC AND BDS). YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO COLONEL RANK EITHER BY SELECTION AFTER MINIMUM 3 YRS OF SERVICE IN LT COLONEL RANK OR AFTER 26 YRS (24 YRS FOR AMC AND BDS) OF RECKONABLE SERVICE AND THEREAFTER UP TO THE RANK OF LT GEN/GEN BY SELECTION. PAY AND ALLOWANCES APART FROM THE REGULAR PAY, ARMY OFFICERS RECEIVE RANK PAY, ALLOWANCES LIKE KIT MAINTENANCE, FIELD AREA, HIGH ALTITUDE, OUTFIT, CITY COMPENSATORY ETC. 60 DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE, 20 DAYS CASUAL LEAVE, STUDY LEAVE, LEAVE TRAVEL CONCESSION, FREE MEDICAL FOR SELF AND FAMILY, ENTITLED RATION, CANTEEN FACILITIES, SUBSIDIZED RENT ON ACCOMMODATION, 50% CONCESSION ON TRAVEL BY AIR AT OWN EXPENSES AND ARMY GROUP INSURANCE FUND RS 15 LACS. SO, GO AHEAD AND TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AS AN ARMY OFFICER AND PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT WHEN IT COMES TO COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP, YOU ARE THE SECOND TO NONE. (THE AUTHOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
GUIDE CAREER IN ARMED FORCES AS AN OFFICER
—LT. COL. (RETD.) D.S. DESWAL A career in the Armed Forces as an officer, demands mental ability, physical fitness, an ability to lead, a quest for adventure and the desire of achieving the highest level of professional satisfaction in a totally transparent and open environment which provides job security till the end. These traits are in abundance in youth of today but they are groping in the dark and are drifting like a rudder less ship thereby they fall in trap of on going soft jobs available across the counters without caring for the temporary nature of such jobs lacking progressive development of mind, body and self esteem. Apparently they need to be guided and their efforts for seeking a suitable career have to be channelised. Armed forces viz Army, Air Force and Navy offer a very bright, prosperous, exciting and fulfilling career where the intake is just at the most appropriate stage in one's life immediately after finishing shcooling or graduating from the universities. All the three wings of Armed forces constitute of combat elements, logistics, supporting infrastructure using the latest state of art in the present day warfare in all four dimensions of land, air, sea and electronic warfare. Entry into Armed Forces Entry in Armed Forces in officer cadres is through UPSC which advertises the schemes in all national dailies generally twice a year for regular commission and short service commission. The selection process entails written test followed by interviews by the service selection board. Essentially assessing the personality traits, reasoning abilities, leadership qualities based on highly scientifically developed psyco-logical test conducted by experts. The details are given below for entry into Army, Navy and Air Force. Type of Month of Age at the Educational Mode of How to Apply Entry commencement time of Qualification Selection of Course joining 1. National Jan & July 16½-19 yrs 12th standard/10+2 NDA Exam by March/April Defence system of Education UPSC & SSB & Oct/Nov. Academy, Pune or equivalent interview 2. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun a) Direct Entry Jan & July 19-24 yrs. Degree or equivalent Combined DeMarch/April & at the time of joining fence Services Sep/Oct the course Exam (CDSE) conducted by UPSC & SSB interview. b) TGC Jan & July 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr. & Oct/ (i) Engineering in notified discipline Nov. Graduate (ii) Post Graduate Jan & July 23-27 yrs Post Grad. in notified SSB Interview (AEC) subject with 1st/2nd division. (c) University July 19-25 yrs Final and Pre-final Campus inter- July Entry Scheme (Fy) year students of an view and SSB 18-24 engineering degree Interview yrs (PFy) course d) 10+2 TES Jan & July 16½-19½ 10+2 Pass with 70% Apply directly to May and yrs aggregate in PCM the Recruiting November Directorate. Officers Training Academy, Chennai SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION a) Non-Technical April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Degree or equivalent CDSE conductMar/Apr & at the time of joining ed by UPSC and Sep./Oct.
the course SSB interview b) Technical April & Oct. 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr & in notified discipline Sep./Oct. c) NCC Special April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Graduate with 50% SSB interview Mar/Apr & Entry Scheme aggregate marks, two Oct./Nov yrs service in NCC Sr. Division, Army, with minimum 'B' Grade 'C' Cert./Exam. d) Women in April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Grad./Post Grad./LLB/ SSB interview Jun./Dec. Technical and (Non-Tech) Professional EngiNon-Technical 21-27 (PG) neering Grad. e) JAG Oct. 21-27 yrs Grad. with LLB/LLM SSB interview Nov./Dec. with 50% marks. registered with Bar Council of India NAVY A CAREER IN THE NAVY MEANS LOOKING FOR CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER PERMANENT COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Unmarried (Yrs.) Men/Women (a) Cadet Entry (10+2) Naval 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ 19 Men Academy, Goa (Through UPSC) (b) Cadet Entry (NDA) 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Men Through (UPSC) (c) Graduate Special Entry, Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE 19 - 22 Men Academy, Goa (Through CDSE) (d) NCC Special Entry Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE, with Naval 19 - 24 Men Academy, Goa Wing Senior Div. NCC 'C' Certificate (e) Direct Entry Naval Armament A degree in Electronics/Elect/Mech Engg. 19½ - 25 Men Inspection Cadre or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physcis. (f) Direct Entry Law Cadre A Degree in Law qualifying for enrloment 22 - 27 Men as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Remarks (Yrs.) (g) Law Cadre A Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks 22-27 Men & Women (h) Logistics Cadre BA (Economics), B.Com, B.Sc (Physics & Maths, IT), CA/ 19½ -25 Men & Women ICWA, Catering technology, BCA or MCA, B.Tech/BE in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, Computer, IT, Architecture with minimum 60% marks in aggregate. (i) ATC (Air Traffic A first class science graduate with Physics and Maths or 19½ - 25 Men & Women control MSc with Physics or Maths securing minimum 55% marks. (j) Hydro Cadre A Grad. with minimum 55% marks with Physics & Maths 19½ 25 Men at 10+2 level. Grad. with Physics & Chemistry at 10+2 level holding Naval Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate or BE/BTech with minimum 55% marks in any discipline (k) Executive Same as Hydro Cadre 19 ½ - 25 Men (General Service)
Air Force A CAREER IN THE Air Force MEANS READYTOFACE CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Branch/Type of Educational Qualification Age Limit Advertisement Entry (Yrs.) Schedule FLYING BRANCH (a) National Defence Academy 10+2 with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Mar/Oct. (NDA) (For Men) (b) Combined Defence Services Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or BE 19 23 Apr../Sep. Examination (CDSE) (For Men) (c) NCC Special Entry (Through Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or 1923 Apr./ Oct. CO Unit./DG NCC) (For Men) BE & NCC Air Wing Sr. Div. 'C' Certificate. (d) Short Service Commission Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 19-23* May/Nov. (For Women) or BE * Upper Age limit relaxed to 25 years for holders of Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) TECHNICAL BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women)** (a) Aeronautical Engineering First Class degree in Engineering 18 -28 Apr../Oct. (Electronics) Electronics/Mechanical/Allied subject as (b) Aeronautical Engineering per advertisement (Mechanical) SSC FOR WOMEN (c) Same as above Oct. GROUND DUTIES BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women) ** First Class Grad. or PG in subject as per 20 23 May/Nov. (a) Administrations advertisement (b) Logistics (c) Accounts 20-25 (d) Education PG in subject as per advertisement 20-25 ** PC - Permanent Commission / SSC - Short Service Commission WOMEN IN THE Army/Navy/Air Force (Short Service Commission) for 14 years. The three services have been recruiting women candidates for select branches for short service commission. Lately they are being inducted through written test. The women can serve for a period of minimum five years extendable to fourteen years provided they are found suitable. Ranks structures and Emoluments Army Navy Air Force Basic Pay l General Admiral Air Chief Marshal 30000 l Lieutentant Vice Admiral Air Marshal 22400-525-24500 General l Major Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal 18400-500-22400 General l Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore 16700-450-8050+ 2400 l Colonel Captain Group Captain 15100-450-17350+2000 l Lieutenant Commander Wing Commodore 13500-400-17100+ Col 1600 l Major Lieutenant Squadron Leader 11600-325-16050+1200 Commander l Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant 9600-300-11400+400 l Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenan Flying Officer 8250-300-10050 Privileges & Perks l 60 days Annual Leave and 20 days Casual Leave per year. l Concessional rates Loans for Housing, Car, Motorcycle and Computer. l Medical cover for self, family and dependants l Special rail/air concessions for self and family l Insurance cover l Free transport for shcool going children
l Study Leave up to 2 years with full pay and allowances l Facility of Canteen, Mess and club at all stations of posting l Group Housing Schemes on concessional rates l Furnished Government accommodations at nominal rates l Rapid promotion to higher ranks i.e. Captian/its equivalents in 2 years, Major/its equivalent in 6 years, Lt Col/its equivalent in 11 years, officers are assured of ranks of Col/its equivalent in the three services before retirement. l Free ration for self. Allowances Retirement Benefits l Kit Maintenance Allowance è Pension l Dearness Allowance è Medical cover for self, wife and departments l House Rent Reimbursement è Canteen, mess and club facility l City Compensatory Allowance l Transport Allowance l Hill compensatory Allowance l High Altitude/Uncongenial Climate Allowance l Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance For Career Details in Defence Services Contact: 4 ARMY : The Additional Directorate- General of Recruiting, West Block -111, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066, website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in 4 NAVY : Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment (R&R), Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy) Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 Tele : - 011-23729233, website: www.nausena-bharti.nic.in 4 AIR FORCE : Publicity Cell, Air HQs, 'Disha', Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi110011. Tele : 011-2330101231 Extn. 7080, website : www.careerairforce.com
INDIAN AIR FORCE The maiden flight that the Wright Brothers made on 17 December 1903 sparked off the most innovative race in the history of mankind – the race to conquer the sky. Innovation and enterprise marching at breathless pace opened up new horizons and the blue vault of the sky turned into the playground for the new breed of men and women equipped with wings of steel. Barely seven years after the Wright Brothers’ pioneering flight, India’s first flight took place at Allahabad in December 1910. Two decades later came the Indian Air Force, outfitted with the best flying machines in the world, machines that can flout gravity with effortless ease soar where only the eagles dare, and from there perch high in the sky rule the air, earth and water, Life in IAF The Indian Air Force is an organization that prides itself for upholding the traditional values of honour, dignity and respect for all. Discipline, professionalism, dedication and dutifulness are the virtues ingrained in all who serve this organization. For the enthusiastic youth who seek a carrier which would provide the highest satisfaction and fulfillment of “Touching The Sky With Glory” the Indian Air Force could be an “ Ideal Target” This epistle is aimed at providing an overview of the career opportunities in the Indian Air Force offers opportunities to the aspiring, educated, talented and healthy youth of our nation to join its rank and file, promising a bright career and a fulfilling life complete with excitement and rewards. CAREER FOR WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES Introduction : Today we have Women Officers in all the three services of the Indian Armed Forces i.e., the Army, Navy & Air Force. Women are having equal opportunities in the terms of employability. The commission is a Short Service Commission of five years extendable upto 14 years in all the three services. [It is only in the Medical Services that women can apply for a permanent commission which is being covered in a separate article (Careers for Doctors in the Armed Forces)].
Indian Army : After every six months 75 women are inducted for training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. These women are called the Lady Cadets (LCs). The LCs undergo a six month military training after which they are commissioned as Officers in the Indian Army. Unmarried women below the age of 25 years can apply if they are Graduates and below the age of 27 years if they are Post Graduates. They need to have a height of above 152 cm (5 ft). The eligibility conditions in respect of qualifications and percentage of marks are as follows:1. B Sc (PCM / Computer / Non PCM), BA, BCom, BBA, BCA 60% and above. 2. MSc (Computer Science / Electronics / Maths / Organic / Biochemistry / Microbiology / Food Technology / Hotel Management / Catering Technology), 50% and above. MCA, MA (Psychology / History / Geography / English), LLB 3. BE / BTech (Computer Science / Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering / Telecommunication / Pass Electronics & Telecommunication / Information Technology / Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / Production / Architecture) Note : Women in their final year of Engineering are also eligible to apply provided they should be in receipt of the degree prior to commencement of the course.
……..2 Indian Navy : Women can get commissioned in the Executive branch or the Education branch of the Indian Navy. For being eligible to apply, women need to be below 25 years of age with a height of more than 152 cm (5 ft) and should have secured more than 60% marks at Graduation level in any of the following disciplines :BCA / MCA BA (Economics) BCom BE / BTech (Mechanical / Marine / Electrical / Electronics / Electronics & Telecommunication / Instrumentation / Computers / IT) Indian Airforce : Women can be commissioned into the Indian Air force in Flying branch, Technical stream as well as in the Administration and Logistics. The following are the eligibility conditions :Nature of duties Height Age Qualifications Flying 162.5 cm (5’4”) and above,with leg length 99cm-120cm Below 23 years BA / BCom /BSc / BE /BTech / Any Graduate Ground Duties 152 cm (5’0”) and above Below 23 years for GraduatesBelow 25 years for Postgraduate/ CA / ICWA / LLB BA / BCom / MCom /BSc /BE / BTech (any stream)MA (English / Defence Studies / Psychology / Geography)MSc (Any branch)MBA / CA / ICWA / LLB Technical 152 cm (5’0”) and above Below 28 years BE / BTech (Electronics / Electrical / Mechanical / Telecommunication / Electronics & Telecom /
Instrumentation / Computer Science / Aeronautical Engineering / Production / Industrial Production )MSc (Computer Science / Computer Application) ………..3 Application Procedure Applicants are advised to go through the Employment News / Rozgar Samachar published every Saturday. The criteria for age, height, weight, qualifications, etc should be met for applying for the post. Applicants must follow all the instructions given in the advertisement / notification. The applications are likely to be rejected in case they are incomplete or the instructions mentioned in the notification have not been followed. Selection Procedure The screened and short- listed candidates are called for an SSB interview at one of the Services Selection Board Centres. The Air Force optees are required to qualify the PABT, CET, EKT, for the flying branch, Ground Duties, Technical branches respectively. The qualified candidates are then subjected to SSB interviews in a similar manner as for the Army and Navy selections. The SSB Stage I is the preliminary screening stage which consists of Intelligence test, Picture perception test and Group Discussion. Only those candidates who qualify Stage I undergo Psychological tests, Group Tests and an Interview which forms Stage II of the SSB selection process. The candidates who are recommended by the Services Selection Board are required to undergo medical examination at the Military hospital. They are then placed in the order of merit. The final selection is based on the number of vacancies available at that point of time. (The author is Director - Training at Apex Careers, Pune. )
CAREER IN ARMED FORCES AS AN OFFICER Part I —LT. COL. (RETD.) D.S. DESWAL A career in the Armed Forces as an officer, demands mental ability, physical fitness, an ability to lead, a quest for adventure and the desire of achieving the highest level of professional satisfaction in a totally transparent and open environment which provides job security till the end. These traits are in abundance in youth of today but they are groping in the dark and are drifting like a rudder less ship thereby they fall in trap of on going soft jobs available across the counters without caring for the temporary nature of such jobs lacking progressive development of mind, body and self esteem. Apparently they need to be guided and their efforts for seeking a suitable career have to be channelised. Armed forces viz Army, Air Force and Navy offer a very bright, prosperous, exciting and fulfilling career where the intake is just at the most appropriate stage in one's life immediately after finishing shcooling or graduating from the universities. All the three wings of Armed forces constitute of combat elements, logistics, supporting infrastructure using the latest state of art in the present day warfare in all four dimensions of land, air, sea and electronic warfare. Entry into Armed Forces Entry in Armed Forces in officer cadres is through UPSC which advertises the schemes in all national dailies generally twice a year for regular commission and short service commission. The selection process entails written test followed by interviews by the service selection board. Essentially assessing the personality traits, reasoning abilities, leadership qualities based on highly
scientifically developed psyco-logical test conducted by experts. The details are given below for entry into Army, Navy and Air Force. Type of Month of Age at the Educational Mode of How to Apply Entry commencement time of Qualification Selection of Course joining 1. National Jan & July 16½-19 yrs 12th standard/10+2 NDA Exam by March/April Defence system of Education UPSC & SSB & Oct/Nov. Academy, Pune or equivalent interview 2. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun a) Direct Entry Jan & July 19-24 yrs. Degree or equivalent Combined DeMarch/April & at the time of joining fence Services Sep/Oct the course Exam (CDSE) conducted by UPSC & SSB interview. b) TGC Jan & July 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr. & Oct/ (i) Engineering in notified discipline Nov. Graduate (ii) Post Graduate Jan & July 23-27 yrs Post Grad. in notified SSB Interview (AEC) subject with 1st/2nd division. (c) University July 19-25 yrs Final and Pre-final Campus inter- July Entry Scheme (Fy) year students of an view and SSB 18-24 engineering degree Interview yrs (PFy) course d) 10+2 TES Jan & July 16½-19½ 10+2 Pass with 70% Apply directly to May and yrs aggregate in PCM the Recruiting November Directorate. Officers Training Academy, Chennai SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION a) Non-Technical April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Degree or equivalent CDSE conductMar/Apr & at the time of joining ed by UPSC and Sep./Oct. the course SSB interview b) Technical April & Oct. 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr & in notified discipline Sep./Oct. c) NCC Special April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Graduate with 50% SSB interview Mar/Apr & Entry Scheme aggregate marks, two Oct./Nov yrs service in NCC Sr. Division, Army, with minimum 'B' Grade 'C' Cert./Exam. d) Women in April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Grad./Post Grad./LLB/ SSB interview Jun./Dec. Technical and (Non-Tech) Professional EngiNon-Technical 21-27 (PG) neering Grad. e) JAG Oct. 21-27 yrs Grad. with LLB/LLM SSB interview Nov./Dec. with 50% marks. registered with Bar Council of India NAVY A CAREER IN THE NAVY MEANS LOOKING FOR CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER PERMANENT COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Unmarried
(Yrs.) Men/Women (a) Cadet Entry (10+2) Naval 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ 19 Men Academy, Goa (Through UPSC) (b) Cadet Entry (NDA) 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Men Through (UPSC) (c) Graduate Special Entry, Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE 19 - 22 Men Academy, Goa (Through CDSE) (d) NCC Special Entry Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE, with Naval 19 - 24 Men Academy, Goa Wing Senior Div. NCC 'C' Certificate (e) Direct Entry Naval Armament A degree in Electronics/Elect/Mech Engg. 19½ - 25 Men Inspection Cadre or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physcis. (f) Direct Entry Law Cadre A Degree in Law qualifying for enrloment 22 - 27 Men as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Remarks (Yrs.) (g) Law Cadre A Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks 22-27 Men & Women (h) Logistics Cadre BA (Economics), B.Com, B.Sc (Physics & Maths, IT), CA/ 19½ -25 Men & Women ICWA, Catering technology, BCA or MCA, B.Tech/BE in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, Computer, IT, Architecture with minimum 60% marks in aggregate. (i) ATC (Air Traffic A first class science graduate with Physics and Maths or 19½ - 25 Men & Women control MSc with Physics or Maths securing minimum 55% marks. (j) Hydro Cadre A Grad. with minimum 55% marks with Physics & Maths 19½ 25 Men at 10+2 level. Grad. with Physics & Chemistry at 10+2 level holding Naval Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate or BE/BTech with minimum 55% marks in any discipline (k) Executive Same as Hydro Cadre 19 ½ - 25 Men (General Service) Air Force A CAREER IN THE Air Force MEANS READYTOFACE CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Branch/Type of Educational Qualification Age Limit Advertisement Entry (Yrs.) Schedule FLYING BRANCH (a) National Defence Academy 10+2 with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Mar/Oct. (NDA) (For Men) (b) Combined Defence Services Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or BE 19 23 Apr../Sep. Examination (CDSE) (For Men) (c) NCC Special Entry (Through Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or 1923 Apr./ Oct. CO Unit./DG NCC) (For Men) BE & NCC Air Wing Sr. Div. 'C' Certificate. (d) Short Service Commission Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 19-23* May/Nov. (For Women) or BE * Upper Age limit relaxed to 25 years for holders of Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) TECHNICAL BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women)** (a) Aeronautical Engineering First Class degree in Engineering 18 -28 Apr../Oct. (Electronics) Electronics/Mechanical/Allied subject as (b) Aeronautical Engineering per advertisement
(Mechanical) SSC FOR WOMEN (c) Same as above Oct. GROUND DUTIES BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women) ** First Class Grad. or PG in subject as per 20 23 May/Nov. (a) Administrations advertisement (b) Logistics (c) Accounts 20-25 (d) Education PG in subject as per advertisement 20-25 ** PC - Permanent Commission / SSC - Short Service Commission WOMEN IN THE Army/Navy/Air Force (Short Service Commission) for 14 years. The three services have been recruiting women candidates for select branches for short service commission. Lately they are being inducted through written test. The women can serve for a period of minimum five years extendable to fourteen years provided they are found suitable. Ranks structures and Emoluments Army Navy Air Force Basic Pay l General Admiral Air Chief Marshal 30000 l Lieutentant Vice Admiral Air Marshal 22400-525-24500 General l Major Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal 18400-500-22400 General l Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore 16700-450-8050+ 2400 l Colonel Captain Group Captain 15100-450-17350+2000 l Lieutenant Commander Wing Commodore 13500-400-17100+ Col 1600 l Major Lieutenant Squadron Leader 11600-325-16050+1200 Commander l Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant 9600-300-11400+400 l Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenan Flying Officer 8250-300-10050 Privileges & Perks l 60 days Annual Leave and 20 days Casual Leave per year. l Concessional rates Loans for Housing, Car, Motorcycle and Computer. l Medical cover for self, family and dependants l Special rail/air concessions for self and family l Insurance cover l Free transport for shcool going children l Study Leave up to 2 years with full pay and allowances l Facility of Canteen, Mess and club at all stations of posting l Group Housing Schemes on concessional rates l Furnished Government accommodations at nominal rates l Rapid promotion to higher ranks i.e. Captian/its equivalents in 2 years, Major/its equivalent in 6 years, Lt Col/its equivalent in 11 years, officers are assured of ranks of Col/its equivalent in the three services before retirement. l Free ration for self. Allowances Retirement Benefits l Kit Maintenance Allowance è Pension l Dearness Allowance è Medical cover for self, wife and departments l House Rent Reimbursement è Canteen, mess and club facility l City Compensatory Allowance l Transport Allowance l Hill compensatory Allowance l High Altitude/Uncongenial Climate Allowance l Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance For Career Details in Defence Services Contact: 4 ARMY : The Additional Directorate- General of Recruiting, West Block -111, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066, website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in 4 NAVY : Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment (R&R), Integrated
Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy) Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 Tele : - 011-23729233, website: www.nausena-bharti.nic.in 4 AIR FORCE : Publicity Cell, Air HQs, 'Disha', Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi110011. Tele : 011-2330101231 Extn. 7080, website : www.careerairforce.com
CAREER GUIDE CAREER IN THE INDIAN ARMY . V.L. RENGA HRILER Join Indian army. Be a winner for life. reads one of the advertisement issued by the Indian army. With the recent introduction of time bound promotion up to the rank of colonel, army has become one of the hot destinations for youngsters, boys and girls alike. To become a commissioned officer in the Indian army, the entries can be broadly grouped into permanent and short service commissioned officer. Permanent commission When you opt for .permanent commission., you are basically looking at a permanent career in the army. A career till you retires. National defence academy (nda) and Indian military academy (ima) are the two institutions that you join for a permanent commission. The national defence academy, pune Nda houses some of the finest infrastructure for professional army training in the country. It gives you innumerable opportunities to develop your personality and cultivate new interests. In fact, you can choose from 31 different extra curricular activities including aero modeling, golf, gliding, sailing, wind surfing, astronomy and many more. NDA: you can take the NDA entrance exam conducted by upsc twice a year at the age of 16½ -19 and while studying in class xii. Once you clear this exam, the next step is services selection board (ssb) interview, which will last for 5 days. The last step in the process is a medical test. After this, all you have to do is wait for your 10+2 results and nda merit list. Once you clear these, you will be in nda. Three years in nda you will do your graduation and you will become a gentleman cadet before you get commissioned as an officer in the indian military academy. Indian military academy, dehradun Ima is yet another cradle of leadership that trains its men to lead from the front. .valour and wisdom. is its motto. Velour and wisdom is what exudes from every army officer who passes out of ima. CDSE: Admission at ima through Combined Defence Service Exam (cdse) can be taken at the age of 19-25 yrs and in your final year of college, by clearing the combined defence services exam (cdse) conducted by upsc in the month of February and September every year andthereafter ssb interview conducted by selection centre. UES: final and pre-final year students of engineering degree course aged between 19-25 yrs can apply through University Entry Scheme (ues) notified by additional directorate general recruiting, army hqs in the month of may every year. Initial screening is done through campus interview and thereafter ssb interview and medical test. TGC: married and unmarried be/b tech graduates with age between 20-27 yrs can apply through Technical Graduate Course (tgc) for direct ssb interview. First or high second class in ma/m sc age between 23-27 yrs can apply in Army Education Corps and m sc in agriculture age between 20-27 yrs may apply for Military Farms under the tgc entry. Vacancies are being notified twice a year in the month of april and October by additional directorate general recruiting, army hqs. For direct ssb interview and medical test. If you are a gentleman cadet (graduate from nda) or a technical (engineering) graduate, then your training at ima will last one year. Alternatively, if you are a graduate in any other stream selected through cdse under the direct entry scheme, your training will last 1½ years 10+2 tes: you can also apply in 10+2 technical entry scheme (tes) after passing 10+2 examination with at least 70% aggregate marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics and aged between 16 ½ - 19 ½.. If you meet the
eligibility criteria, you will be sent to the ssb. After the ssb interview, a merit list will be put up by the additional directorate general recruiting. Selected candidates through 10+2 tes are inducted for 1 year.s basic military training at ima. This would be followed by a 4 years degree course in engineering from college of military engineering, pune/ military college of Telecommunication engineering, Mhow/military College of electronics & mechanical engineering, secunderabad. The total duration of training is 5 years. On completion of 4 years of training, a commission in the rank of lieutenant is granted. For a degree in engineering, however, you will need to successfully complete the stipulated 5 years of training. At ima, you will get trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using computers and other modern training tools. This, coupled with exciting adventure sports like river rafting, Para jumping, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering, will ensure your all-round development. When you pass out of ima, you will be commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian army. (THE AUTHOR IS WORKING AS A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT OF INDIA) (TO BE CONCLUDED)
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION THE INDIAN ARMY HAS A WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE FOR ALL THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO SERVE FOR A FEW YEARS. IT IS CALLED SHORT SERVICE COMMI-SSION (SSC). IT GIVES YOU THE OPTION OF JOINING THE INDIAN ARMY, AND SERVING AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER FOR 14 YEARS I.E. FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF 10 YRS, EXTENDABLE BY 4 YRS. ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED 10 YRS OF SERVICE, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION. ALTERNATI-VELY, YOU CAN ALSO ASK FOR RELEASE FROM SERVICE ON COMPLETION OF 5TH YEAR OF SERVICE. WITH A SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION, YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. EVEN AS IT GIVES YOU THE PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS OF A FULLFLEDGED COMMISSION, YOU WILL BE IMBIBING QUALITIES LIKE ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS, PLANNING ABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS, ORGANISA-TIONAL TALENT THAT WILL MAKE YOU AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO ANY ORGANI-ZATION THAT YOU JOIN AFTER THE ARMY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, 5-14 YRS AS AN SSC OFFICER WILL MAKE YOU A LEADER FOR LIFE. OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY, CHENNAI OTA, CHENNAI IS WHERE YOU GO FOR TRAINING ONCE YOU ARE SELECTED FOR THE SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION. CDSE: SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION (NON-TECHNICAL) WRITTEN EXAM IS CONDUCTED BY UPSC UNDER THE COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICE EXAM TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER FOLLOWED BY THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. AN ASPIRING CANDIDATE AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YRS MAY APPLY WHILE STUDYING IN FINAL YEAR GRADUATION IN ANY DISCIPLINE IN RESPONSE TO THE ADVERTISEMENT. EVEN MARRIED MEN CAN APPLY FOR SSC (NT). SSC (TECHNICAL) MEN: MARRIED AND UNMARRIED TECHNICAL (ENGINEERING) GRADUATE WILLING TO JOIN SSC, DON.T NEED TO TAKE WRITTEN EXAM. VACANCIES WILL BE NOTIFIED BY ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING, ARMY HQ TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF APRIL AND OCTOBER. AGE ELIGIBILITY IS 20-27 YRS. ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS SCREENED AND SHORT-LISTED BY THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING AT ARMY HQ, YOU CAN DIRECTLY GO IN FOR THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION. JAG AND NCC: THERE ARE SPECIAL ENTRIES FOR SSC. MARRIED AND UNMARRIED GRADUATES IN LLB/LLM WITH 55% MARKS AND REGISTERED WITH BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA/STATE AND AGED 21-27 YRS MAY APPLY IN
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL ENTRY. GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE WITH 50% AGGREGATE MARKS AND 2 YEARS SERVICE IN NCC SENIOR DIV ARMY WING WITH MINIMUM .B. GRADE IN .C. CERTIFICATE EXAM MAY APPLY IN NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME. APPLICA-TIONS ARE TO BE ROUTED THROUGH NCC UNITS/GROUP HEADQUARTERS. BOTH JAG AND NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME HAVE DIRECT SSB INTERVIEW. ONCE IN OTA, YOUR TRAINING WILL LAST 11 MONTHS APPROXIMATELY. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE TRAINED TO BE AN OFFICER, AND GET AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE INTERESTING ACTIVITIES LIKE SKEET SHOOTING, GOLF, RIDING AND ANGLING. ULTIMATELY, OTA WILL EQUIP YOU TO TAKE ON THE WORLD WITH A BROADENED PERSPECTIVE ONCE YOU LEAVE THE ARMY. SPECIAL SCHEME FOR WOMEN (OFFICER) INDIAN ARMY RECRUITS TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL WOMEN AS A SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICER (WOMEN) . PREVIOUSLY WOMEN ENTRY IN THE ARMY WAS NAMED AS WOMEN SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME (OFFICER) WSES(O) WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED. SSC (WOMEN) HAS SINCE COMMENCED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 2008 COURSE ONWARDS. SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL GET TRAINED AT OTA, CHENNAI FOR A PERIOD OF 11 MONTHS. ON SUCCESSFUL TRAINING, THE LADY CADET WILL BE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN VARIOUS ARMS/SERVICES. TECHNICAL: YOU NEED TO BE A B TECH/BE PASS OR B SC (PCM) WITH 60% AGGREGATE AND AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YRS IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR SSC (TECH) WOMEN. EVEN FINAL YEAR/SEMESTER STUDENTS OF BE/B TECH CAN ALSO APPLY. NOTIFICATION INVITING ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES IS MADE TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF JUNE AND DECEMBER. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE INITIALLY SCREENED BY THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS. IF SHORT-LISTED, YOU WILL APPEAR FOR THE SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. NON-TECH: FOR SSC (NON-TECH) WOMEN, GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE OR WHILE STUDYING IN FINAL YEAR GRADUATION AGED BETWEEN 19-25 YEARS HAVE TO APPLY FOR WRITTEN EXAMINATION IN RESPONSE TO ADVERTISEMENT UNDER THE AEGIS OF COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICE EXAM CONDUCTED BY UPSC TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER AT THE AGE OF 19-25 YRS. ONCE YOU CLEAR THE WRITTEN EXAM YOU WILL BE CALLED FOR SSB INTERVIEW AND MEDICAL TEST. NCC SPECIAL ENTRY: GRADUATE IN ANY DISCIPLINE WITH 50% AGGREGATE MARKS AND 2 YEARS SERVICE IN NCC SENIOR WING (ARMY) WITH MINIMUM .B. GRADE IN .C. CERTIFICATE EXAM MAY APPLY SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICER THROUGH NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME (NON-TECH) WOMEN. APPLICANT SHOULD BE 19-25 YEARS. YOU CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO NOTIFICATION ISSUED BY ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING, ARMY HQS TWICE A YEAR IN THE MONTH OF JUNE AND DECEMBER AND APPLICATION IS TO BE ROUTED THROUGH NCC UNITS/GROUP HEADQUARTERS. ANTEDATE SENIORITY TO TECHNICAL GRADUATES ANTEDATE SENIORITY OF 2 YEARS IS GIVEN TO ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL GRADUATES (MEN AND WOMEN) INDUCTED THROUGH TECHNICAL ENTRIES. THIS IS DONE IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXTRA TIME AND ENERGY THAT ONE SPENDS TO EARN THE ENGINEERING DEGREE BEFORE TRAINING. WITH THE ANTEDATE SENIORITY, YOU WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FASTER PROMOTIONS, IN ADDITION TO PAY BENEFITS. SPECIAL ENTRY FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VETERINARY GRADUATES: AMC AND ADC: RECRUITMENT FOR PERMANENT AND SHORT SERVICE
COMMISSION FOR MBBS/POST GRADUATE DOCTORS IN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS (AMC) AND BDS/MDS IN ARMY DENTAL CORPS ARE CONDUCTED BY DIRECTOR GENERAL ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICES (DGAFMS). IF YOU ARE MBBS/MD/MS/DM/BDS/MDS DEGREE HOLDER AND AGED BELOW 30 YRS FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AND BELOW 45 YRS FOR SSC, YOU CAN APPLY FOR DIRECT INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY BOARD OF OFFICERS, DGAFMS. CANDIDATES OF MBBS/BDS ARE COMMISSIONED AS DIRECT CAPTAIN IN THE INDIAN ARMY. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN AMC AND ADC MAY OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AFTER 2 YEARS OF RECKONABLE SERVICE PROVIDED THEY HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 30 YEARS AND 31 AND 35 YEARS FOR POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND DEGREE HOLDERS RESPECTIVELY. UNMARRIED WOMEN HOLDING B SC NURSING DEGREE AGED BETWEEN 18-25 YRS CAN APPLY FOR SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION IN MILITARY NURSING SERVICE (MNS) . THERE IS A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY GAFMS. SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN THE AMC. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN MNS MAY OPT FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION AFTER 5 YEARS OF RECKONABLE SERVICE. RVC: BACHELOR IN VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (B V SC &AH) CAN APPLY FOR REMOUNT VETERINARY CORPS (RVC) IN THE INDIAN ARMY. YOU SHOULD BE LESS THAN 32 YRS AND CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO ADVERTISEMENT MADE BY RVC DIRECTORATE AND DIRECT SSB IS CONDUCTED BY ARMY SELECTION CENTRE. TERRITORIAL ARMY (TA): ANY MALE OF INDIAN ORIGIN AGED BETWEEN 18-42 YRS IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING AS TA COMMISSIONED OFFICER. THE CRITERIA BEING THAT HE SHOULD BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED OR RUNNING HIS OWN BUSINESS. YOU CAN APPLY IN RESPONSE TO THE ADVERTISEMENT THROUGH THE TA GROUP HEADQUARTERS. CANDIDATES WHO QUALIFY THE SCREENING TEST OF THE GROUP HQS WILL BE CALLED FOR DIRECT SSB INTERVIEW IN THE ARMY SELECTION BOARD. FOR MORE INFORMATION NEAREST TA UNIT CAN BE CONTACTED. SSB INTERVIEW PROCEDURE SELECTION CENTERS FOR ARMY ARE LOCATED AT ALLAHABAD, BANGALORE AND BHOPAL. SSB TESTS ARE CONDUCTED OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS BY A TEAM OF THREE ASSESSORS: INTERVIEWING OFFICER (IO), PSYCHOLOGIST (PSYCH) AND GROUP TESTING OFFICER (GTO). FIVE DAY SCHEDULE IS AS UNDER:PHYSICAL STANDARDS: SUBJECT (A) DATE OF REPORTING (B) FIRST DAY (C) SECOND DAY (D) THIRD AND FOURTH DAY (E)CONFERENCE DAY ACTION DOCUMENTATION STAGE–I (SCREENING TEST) PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS AND INTERVIEW. OUTDOOR TESTS BY GROUP TESTING OFFICER AND INTERVIEW CONFERENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SSB RESULTS.
MEDICAL PROCEDURES CANDIDATES RECOMMENDED BY SSB WILL UNDERGO SPECIAL MEDICAL BOARD (SMB). THIS TAKES 5-7 DAYS. IF YOU ARE DECLARED UNFIT IN SMB, YOU MAY APPLY FOR APPEAL MEDICAL BOARD (AMB) TO ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING BY DEPOSITING RS 40 MILITARY RECEIVABLE ORDER (MRO) THROUGH BANK ALONG WITH APPLICATION FOR AMB WITHIN 42 DAYS FROM SMB. AGAIN IF YOU ARE UNFIT IN THE AMB, YOU CAN REQUEST FOR REVIEW MEDICAL BOARD (RMB) TO ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL RECRUITING WITHIN ONE DAY OF COMPLETION OF
AMB. HOWEVER, GRANT OF RMB IS UNDER THE DISCRETIONARY POWER OF DIRECTOR GENERAL ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICE (DGAFMS). MEDICAL STAN-DARDS (A) THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE FREE FROM WAX (EARS), DNS, HYROCELE/PHIMOSIS. DEFECTIVE COLOUR VISION, LASIK SURGERY, OVER/UNDER WEIGHT, UNDER CHEST, PILES, GYNECOMASTIA, TONSILLITIS, VERI-COCELE AND AIDS. (B) YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ 6/6 IN A DISTANT VISION CHART (C) COLOUR VISION STANDARD SHOULD BE CP-III (D) MINIMUM 14 DENTAL POINTS WITH SOUND TEETH PHYSICAL STANDARDS:   WOMEN NDA & 10+2 TES (UNDER GRADUATE ENTRY MEN) MINIMUM HEIGHT 152 CM 152 CM MINIMUM WEIGHT 42 KG 43 KG
CDSE, TGC, UES,NCC SPL AMC, RVC ETC. 157 CM (GRADUATE ENTRY MEN) (GRADUATE ENTRY MEN)
45 KG
MINIMUM HEIGHT REDUCED BY 2 CMS AND WEIGHT BY 5 KG FOR GURKHAS, N.E INDIA, GARHWAL AND KUMAON AREA CANDIDATES. THE CANDIDATES SHOULD CONFORM TO HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND AGE RATIO AS GIVEN IN THE NOTIFICATION. PROMOTION PROSPECTSSUBSTANTIVE PROMOTION: ON SUCCESSFUL TRAINING AT NDA, IMA OR OTA YOU WILL BE COMMISSIONED AS LIEUTENANT IN THE INDIAN ARMY. ON COMPLETION OF 2 YRS COMMISSIONED RECKONABLE SERVICE AS LIEUTENANT YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. ON COMPLETION OF 6 YEARS YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE RANK OF MAJOR AND AFTER 13 YRS OF RECKONABLE COMMISSIONED SERVICE YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL (11 YRS FOR AMC AND BDS). YOU WILL BE PROMOTED TO COLONEL RANK EITHER BY SELECTION AFTER MINIMUM 3 YRS OF SERVICE IN LT COLONEL RANK OR AFTER 26 YRS (24 YRS FOR AMC AND BDS) OF RECKONABLE SERVICE AND THEREAFTER UP TO THE RANK OF LT GEN/GEN BY SELECTION. PAY AND ALLOWANCES APART FROM THE REGULAR PAY, ARMY OFFICERS RECEIVE RANK PAY, ALLOWANCES LIKE KIT MAINTENANCE, FIELD AREA, HIGH ALTITUDE, OUTFIT, CITY COMPENSATORY ETC. 60 DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE, 20 DAYS CASUAL LEAVE, STUDY LEAVE, LEAVE TRAVEL CONCESSION, FREE MEDICAL FOR SELF AND FAMILY, ENTITLED RATION, CANTEEN FACILITIES, SUBSIDIZED RENT ON ACCOMMODATION, 50% CONCESSION ON TRAVEL BY AIR AT OWN EXPENSES AND ARMY GROUP INSURANCE FUND RS 15 LACS. SO, GO AHEAD AND TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AS AN ARMY OFFICER AND PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT WHEN IT COMES TO COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP, YOU ARE THE SECOND TO NONE. (THE AUTHOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
GUIDE CAREER IN ARMED FORCES AS AN OFFICER
—LT. COL. (RETD.) D.S. DESWAL A career in the Armed Forces as an officer, demands mental ability, physical fitness, an ability to lead, a quest for adventure and the desire of achieving the highest level of professional satisfaction in a totally transparent and open environment which provides job security till the end. These traits are in abundance in youth of today but they are groping in the dark and are drifting like a rudder less ship thereby they fall in trap of on going soft jobs available across the counters without caring for the temporary nature of such jobs lacking progressive development of mind, body and self esteem. Apparently they need to be guided and their efforts for seeking a suitable career have to be channelised. Armed forces viz Army, Air Force and Navy offer a very bright, prosperous, exciting and fulfilling career where the intake is just at the most appropriate stage in one's life immediately after finishing shcooling or graduating from the universities. All the three wings of Armed forces constitute of combat elements, logistics, supporting infrastructure using the latest state of art in the present day warfare in all four dimensions of land, air, sea and electronic warfare. Entry into Armed Forces Entry in Armed Forces in officer cadres is through UPSC which advertises the schemes in all national dailies generally twice a year for regular commission and short service commission. The selection process entails written test followed by interviews by the service selection board. Essentially assessing the personality traits, reasoning abilities, leadership qualities based on highly scientifically developed psyco-logical test conducted by experts. The details are given below for entry into Army, Navy and Air Force. Type of Month of Age at the Educational Mode of How to Apply Entry commencement time of Qualification Selection of Course joining 1. National Jan & July 16½-19 yrs 12th standard/10+2 NDA Exam by March/April Defence system of Education UPSC & SSB & Oct/Nov. Academy, Pune or equivalent interview 2. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun a) Direct Entry Jan & July 19-24 yrs. Degree or equivalent Combined DeMarch/April & at the time of joining fence Services Sep/Oct the course Exam (CDSE) conducted by UPSC & SSB interview. b) TGC Jan & July 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr. & Oct/ (i) Engineering in notified discipline Nov. Graduate (ii) Post Graduate Jan & July 23-27 yrs Post Grad. in notified SSB Interview (AEC) subject with 1st/2nd division. (c) University July 19-25 yrs Final and Pre-final Campus inter- July Entry Scheme (Fy) year students of an view and SSB 18-24 engineering degree Interview yrs (PFy) course d) 10+2 TES Jan & July 16½-19½ 10+2 Pass with 70% Apply directly to May and yrs aggregate in PCM the Recruiting November Directorate. Officers Training Academy, Chennai SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION a) Non-Technical April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Degree or equivalent CDSE conductMar/Apr & at the time of joining ed by UPSC and Sep./Oct.
the course SSB interview b) Technical April & Oct. 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr & in notified discipline Sep./Oct. c) NCC Special April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Graduate with 50% SSB interview Mar/Apr & Entry Scheme aggregate marks, two Oct./Nov yrs service in NCC Sr. Division, Army, with minimum 'B' Grade 'C' Cert./Exam. d) Women in April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Grad./Post Grad./LLB/ SSB interview Jun./Dec. Technical and (Non-Tech) Professional EngiNon-Technical 21-27 (PG) neering Grad. e) JAG Oct. 21-27 yrs Grad. with LLB/LLM SSB interview Nov./Dec. with 50% marks. registered with Bar Council of India NAVY A CAREER IN THE NAVY MEANS LOOKING FOR CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER PERMANENT COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Unmarried (Yrs.) Men/Women (a) Cadet Entry (10+2) Naval 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ 19 Men Academy, Goa (Through UPSC) (b) Cadet Entry (NDA) 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Men Through (UPSC) (c) Graduate Special Entry, Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE 19 - 22 Men Academy, Goa (Through CDSE) (d) NCC Special Entry Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE, with Naval 19 - 24 Men Academy, Goa Wing Senior Div. NCC 'C' Certificate (e) Direct Entry Naval Armament A degree in Electronics/Elect/Mech Engg. 19½ - 25 Men Inspection Cadre or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physcis. (f) Direct Entry Law Cadre A Degree in Law qualifying for enrloment 22 - 27 Men as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Remarks (Yrs.) (g) Law Cadre A Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks 22-27 Men & Women (h) Logistics Cadre BA (Economics), B.Com, B.Sc (Physics & Maths, IT), CA/ 19½ -25 Men & Women ICWA, Catering technology, BCA or MCA, B.Tech/BE in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, Computer, IT, Architecture with minimum 60% marks in aggregate. (i) ATC (Air Traffic A first class science graduate with Physics and Maths or 19½ - 25 Men & Women control MSc with Physics or Maths securing minimum 55% marks. (j) Hydro Cadre A Grad. with minimum 55% marks with Physics & Maths 19½ 25 Men at 10+2 level. Grad. with Physics & Chemistry at 10+2 level holding Naval Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate or BE/BTech with minimum 55% marks in any discipline (k) Executive Same as Hydro Cadre 19 ½ - 25 Men (General Service)
Air Force A CAREER IN THE Air Force MEANS READYTOFACE CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Branch/Type of Educational Qualification Age Limit Advertisement Entry (Yrs.) Schedule FLYING BRANCH (a) National Defence Academy 10+2 with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Mar/Oct. (NDA) (For Men) (b) Combined Defence Services Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or BE 19 23 Apr../Sep. Examination (CDSE) (For Men) (c) NCC Special Entry (Through Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or 1923 Apr./ Oct. CO Unit./DG NCC) (For Men) BE & NCC Air Wing Sr. Div. 'C' Certificate. (d) Short Service Commission Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 19-23* May/Nov. (For Women) or BE * Upper Age limit relaxed to 25 years for holders of Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) TECHNICAL BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women)** (a) Aeronautical Engineering First Class degree in Engineering 18 -28 Apr../Oct. (Electronics) Electronics/Mechanical/Allied subject as (b) Aeronautical Engineering per advertisement (Mechanical) SSC FOR WOMEN (c) Same as above Oct. GROUND DUTIES BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women) ** First Class Grad. or PG in subject as per 20 23 May/Nov. (a) Administrations advertisement (b) Logistics (c) Accounts 20-25 (d) Education PG in subject as per advertisement 20-25 ** PC - Permanent Commission / SSC - Short Service Commission WOMEN IN THE Army/Navy/Air Force (Short Service Commission) for 14 years. The three services have been recruiting women candidates for select branches for short service commission. Lately they are being inducted through written test. The women can serve for a period of minimum five years extendable to fourteen years provided they are found suitable. Ranks structures and Emoluments Army Navy Air Force Basic Pay l General Admiral Air Chief Marshal 30000 l Lieutentant Vice Admiral Air Marshal 22400-525-24500 General l Major Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal 18400-500-22400 General l Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore 16700-450-8050+ 2400 l Colonel Captain Group Captain 15100-450-17350+2000 l Lieutenant Commander Wing Commodore 13500-400-17100+ Col 1600 l Major Lieutenant Squadron Leader 11600-325-16050+1200 Commander l Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant 9600-300-11400+400 l Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenan Flying Officer 8250-300-10050 Privileges & Perks l 60 days Annual Leave and 20 days Casual Leave per year. l Concessional rates Loans for Housing, Car, Motorcycle and Computer. l Medical cover for self, family and dependants l Special rail/air concessions for self and family l Insurance cover l Free transport for shcool going children
l Study Leave up to 2 years with full pay and allowances l Facility of Canteen, Mess and club at all stations of posting l Group Housing Schemes on concessional rates l Furnished Government accommodations at nominal rates l Rapid promotion to higher ranks i.e. Captian/its equivalents in 2 years, Major/its equivalent in 6 years, Lt Col/its equivalent in 11 years, officers are assured of ranks of Col/its equivalent in the three services before retirement. l Free ration for self. Allowances Retirement Benefits l Kit Maintenance Allowance è Pension l Dearness Allowance è Medical cover for self, wife and departments l House Rent Reimbursement è Canteen, mess and club facility l City Compensatory Allowance l Transport Allowance l Hill compensatory Allowance l High Altitude/Uncongenial Climate Allowance l Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance For Career Details in Defence Services Contact: 4 ARMY : The Additional Directorate- General of Recruiting, West Block -111, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066, website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in 4 NAVY : Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment (R&R), Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy) Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 Tele : - 011-23729233, website: www.nausena-bharti.nic.in 4 AIR FORCE : Publicity Cell, Air HQs, 'Disha', Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi110011. Tele : 011-2330101231 Extn. 7080, website : www.careerairforce.com
INDIAN AIR FORCE The maiden flight that the Wright Brothers made on 17 December 1903 sparked off the most innovative race in the history of mankind – the race to conquer the sky. Innovation and enterprise marching at breathless pace opened up new horizons and the blue vault of the sky turned into the playground for the new breed of men and women equipped with wings of steel. Barely seven years after the Wright Brothers’ pioneering flight, India’s first flight took place at Allahabad in December 1910. Two decades later came the Indian Air Force, outfitted with the best flying machines in the world, machines that can flout gravity with effortless ease soar where only the eagles dare, and from there perch high in the sky rule the air, earth and water, Life in IAF The Indian Air Force is an organization that prides itself for upholding the traditional values of honour, dignity and respect for all. Discipline, professionalism, dedication and dutifulness are the virtues ingrained in all who serve this organization. For the enthusiastic youth who seek a carrier which would provide the highest satisfaction and fulfillment of “Touching The Sky With Glory” the Indian Air Force could be an “ Ideal Target” This epistle is aimed at providing an overview of the career opportunities in the Indian Air Force offers opportunities to the aspiring, educated, talented and healthy youth of our nation to join its rank and file, promising a bright career and a fulfilling life complete with excitement and rewards. CAREER FOR WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES Introduction : Today we have Women Officers in all the three services of the Indian Armed Forces i.e., the Army, Navy & Air Force. Women are having equal opportunities in the terms of employability. The commission is a Short Service Commission of five years extendable upto 14 years in all the three services. [It is only in the Medical Services that women can apply for a permanent commission which is being covered in a separate article (Careers for Doctors in the Armed Forces)].
Indian Army : After every six months 75 women are inducted for training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. These women are called the Lady Cadets (LCs). The LCs undergo a six month military training after which they are commissioned as Officers in the Indian Army. Unmarried women below the age of 25 years can apply if they are Graduates and below the age of 27 years if they are Post Graduates. They need to have a height of above 152 cm (5 ft). The eligibility conditions in respect of qualifications and percentage of marks are as follows:1. B Sc (PCM / Computer / Non PCM), BA, BCom, BBA, BCA 60% and above. 2. MSc (Computer Science / Electronics / Maths / Organic / Biochemistry / Microbiology / Food Technology / Hotel Management / Catering Technology), 50% and above. MCA, MA (Psychology / History / Geography / English), LLB 3. BE / BTech (Computer Science / Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering / Telecommunication / Pass Electronics & Telecommunication / Information Technology / Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / Production / Architecture) Note : Women in their final year of Engineering are also eligible to apply provided they should be in receipt of the degree prior to commencement of the course.
……..2 Indian Navy : Women can get commissioned in the Executive branch or the Education branch of the Indian Navy. For being eligible to apply, women need to be below 25 years of age with a height of more than 152 cm (5 ft) and should have secured more than 60% marks at Graduation level in any of the following disciplines :BCA / MCA BA (Economics) BCom BE / BTech (Mechanical / Marine / Electrical / Electronics / Electronics & Telecommunication / Instrumentation / Computers / IT) Indian Airforce : Women can be commissioned into the Indian Air force in Flying branch, Technical stream as well as in the Administration and Logistics. The following are the eligibility conditions :Nature of duties Height Age Qualifications Flying 162.5 cm (5’4”) and above,with leg length 99cm-120cm Below 23 years BA / BCom /BSc / BE /BTech / Any Graduate Ground Duties 152 cm (5’0”) and above Below 23 years for GraduatesBelow 25 years for Postgraduate/ CA / ICWA / LLB BA / BCom / MCom /BSc /BE / BTech (any stream)MA (English / Defence Studies / Psychology / Geography)MSc (Any branch)MBA / CA / ICWA / LLB Technical 152 cm (5’0”) and above Below 28 years BE / BTech (Electronics / Electrical / Mechanical / Telecommunication / Electronics & Telecom /
Instrumentation / Computer Science / Aeronautical Engineering / Production / Industrial Production )MSc (Computer Science / Computer Application) ………..3 Application Procedure Applicants are advised to go through the Employment News / Rozgar Samachar published every Saturday. The criteria for age, height, weight, qualifications, etc should be met for applying for the post. Applicants must follow all the instructions given in the advertisement / notification. The applications are likely to be rejected in case they are incomplete or the instructions mentioned in the notification have not been followed. Selection Procedure The screened and short- listed candidates are called for an SSB interview at one of the Services Selection Board Centres. The Air Force optees are required to qualify the PABT, CET, EKT, for the flying branch, Ground Duties, Technical branches respectively. The qualified candidates are then subjected to SSB interviews in a similar manner as for the Army and Navy selections. The SSB Stage I is the preliminary screening stage which consists of Intelligence test, Picture perception test and Group Discussion. Only those candidates who qualify Stage I undergo Psychological tests, Group Tests and an Interview which forms Stage II of the SSB selection process. The candidates who are recommended by the Services Selection Board are required to undergo medical examination at the Military hospital. They are then placed in the order of merit. The final selection is based on the number of vacancies available at that point of time. (The author is Director - Training at Apex Careers, Pune. )
CAREER IN ARMED FORCES AS AN OFFICER Part I —LT. COL. (RETD.) D.S. DESWAL A career in the Armed Forces as an officer, demands mental ability, physical fitness, an ability to lead, a quest for adventure and the desire of achieving the highest level of professional satisfaction in a totally transparent and open environment which provides job security till the end. These traits are in abundance in youth of today but they are groping in the dark and are drifting like a rudder less ship thereby they fall in trap of on going soft jobs available across the counters without caring for the temporary nature of such jobs lacking progressive development of mind, body and self esteem. Apparently they need to be guided and their efforts for seeking a suitable career have to be channelised. Armed forces viz Army, Air Force and Navy offer a very bright, prosperous, exciting and fulfilling career where the intake is just at the most appropriate stage in one's life immediately after finishing shcooling or graduating from the universities. All the three wings of Armed forces constitute of combat elements, logistics, supporting infrastructure using the latest state of art in the present day warfare in all four dimensions of land, air, sea and electronic warfare. Entry into Armed Forces Entry in Armed Forces in officer cadres is through UPSC which advertises the schemes in all national dailies generally twice a year for regular commission and short service commission. The selection process entails written test followed by interviews by the service selection board. Essentially assessing the personality traits, reasoning abilities, leadership qualities based on highly
scientifically developed psyco-logical test conducted by experts. The details are given below for entry into Army, Navy and Air Force. Type of Month of Age at the Educational Mode of How to Apply Entry commencement time of Qualification Selection of Course joining 1. National Jan & July 16½-19 yrs 12th standard/10+2 NDA Exam by March/April Defence system of Education UPSC & SSB & Oct/Nov. Academy, Pune or equivalent interview 2. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun a) Direct Entry Jan & July 19-24 yrs. Degree or equivalent Combined DeMarch/April & at the time of joining fence Services Sep/Oct the course Exam (CDSE) conducted by UPSC & SSB interview. b) TGC Jan & July 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr. & Oct/ (i) Engineering in notified discipline Nov. Graduate (ii) Post Graduate Jan & July 23-27 yrs Post Grad. in notified SSB Interview (AEC) subject with 1st/2nd division. (c) University July 19-25 yrs Final and Pre-final Campus inter- July Entry Scheme (Fy) year students of an view and SSB 18-24 engineering degree Interview yrs (PFy) course d) 10+2 TES Jan & July 16½-19½ 10+2 Pass with 70% Apply directly to May and yrs aggregate in PCM the Recruiting November Directorate. Officers Training Academy, Chennai SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION a) Non-Technical April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Degree or equivalent CDSE conductMar/Apr & at the time of joining ed by UPSC and Sep./Oct. the course SSB interview b) Technical April & Oct. 20-27 yrs Engineering Degree SSB interview Mar./Apr & in notified discipline Sep./Oct. c) NCC Special April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Graduate with 50% SSB interview Mar/Apr & Entry Scheme aggregate marks, two Oct./Nov yrs service in NCC Sr. Division, Army, with minimum 'B' Grade 'C' Cert./Exam. d) Women in April & Oct. 19-25 yrs Grad./Post Grad./LLB/ SSB interview Jun./Dec. Technical and (Non-Tech) Professional EngiNon-Technical 21-27 (PG) neering Grad. e) JAG Oct. 21-27 yrs Grad. with LLB/LLM SSB interview Nov./Dec. with 50% marks. registered with Bar Council of India NAVY A CAREER IN THE NAVY MEANS LOOKING FOR CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER PERMANENT COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Unmarried
(Yrs.) Men/Women (a) Cadet Entry (10+2) Naval 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ 19 Men Academy, Goa (Through UPSC) (b) Cadet Entry (NDA) 10+2 or equivalent with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Men Through (UPSC) (c) Graduate Special Entry, Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE 19 - 22 Men Academy, Goa (Through CDSE) (d) NCC Special Entry Naval B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE, with Naval 19 - 24 Men Academy, Goa Wing Senior Div. NCC 'C' Certificate (e) Direct Entry Naval Armament A degree in Electronics/Elect/Mech Engg. 19½ - 25 Men Inspection Cadre or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physcis. (f) Direct Entry Law Cadre A Degree in Law qualifying for enrloment 22 - 27 Men as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 with minimum 55% marks. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION Type of Entry Educational Qualification Age Limit Remarks (Yrs.) (g) Law Cadre A Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks 22-27 Men & Women (h) Logistics Cadre BA (Economics), B.Com, B.Sc (Physics & Maths, IT), CA/ 19½ -25 Men & Women ICWA, Catering technology, BCA or MCA, B.Tech/BE in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, Computer, IT, Architecture with minimum 60% marks in aggregate. (i) ATC (Air Traffic A first class science graduate with Physics and Maths or 19½ - 25 Men & Women control MSc with Physics or Maths securing minimum 55% marks. (j) Hydro Cadre A Grad. with minimum 55% marks with Physics & Maths 19½ 25 Men at 10+2 level. Grad. with Physics & Chemistry at 10+2 level holding Naval Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate or BE/BTech with minimum 55% marks in any discipline (k) Executive Same as Hydro Cadre 19 ½ - 25 Men (General Service) Air Force A CAREER IN THE Air Force MEANS READYTOFACE CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Branch/Type of Educational Qualification Age Limit Advertisement Entry (Yrs.) Schedule FLYING BRANCH (a) National Defence Academy 10+2 with Physics & Maths 16½ - 19 Mar/Oct. (NDA) (For Men) (b) Combined Defence Services Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or BE 19 23 Apr../Sep. Examination (CDSE) (For Men) (c) NCC Special Entry (Through Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or 1923 Apr./ Oct. CO Unit./DG NCC) (For Men) BE & NCC Air Wing Sr. Div. 'C' Certificate. (d) Short Service Commission Any Grad. with Physics & Maths at 10+2 19-23* May/Nov. (For Women) or BE * Upper Age limit relaxed to 25 years for holders of Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) TECHNICAL BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women)** (a) Aeronautical Engineering First Class degree in Engineering 18 -28 Apr../Oct. (Electronics) Electronics/Mechanical/Allied subject as (b) Aeronautical Engineering per advertisement
(Mechanical) SSC FOR WOMEN (c) Same as above Oct. GROUND DUTIES BRANCH (PC for Men/SSC for Women) ** First Class Grad. or PG in subject as per 20 23 May/Nov. (a) Administrations advertisement (b) Logistics (c) Accounts 20-25 (d) Education PG in subject as per advertisement 20-25 ** PC - Permanent Commission / SSC - Short Service Commission WOMEN IN THE Army/Navy/Air Force (Short Service Commission) for 14 years. The three services have been recruiting women candidates for select branches for short service commission. Lately they are being inducted through written test. The women can serve for a period of minimum five years extendable to fourteen years provided they are found suitable. Ranks structures and Emoluments Army Navy Air Force Basic Pay l General Admiral Air Chief Marshal 30000 l Lieutentant Vice Admiral Air Marshal 22400-525-24500 General l Major Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal 18400-500-22400 General l Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore 16700-450-8050+ 2400 l Colonel Captain Group Captain 15100-450-17350+2000 l Lieutenant Commander Wing Commodore 13500-400-17100+ Col 1600 l Major Lieutenant Squadron Leader 11600-325-16050+1200 Commander l Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant 9600-300-11400+400 l Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenan Flying Officer 8250-300-10050 Privileges & Perks l 60 days Annual Leave and 20 days Casual Leave per year. l Concessional rates Loans for Housing, Car, Motorcycle and Computer. l Medical cover for self, family and dependants l Special rail/air concessions for self and family l Insurance cover l Free transport for shcool going children l Study Leave up to 2 years with full pay and allowances l Facility of Canteen, Mess and club at all stations of posting l Group Housing Schemes on concessional rates l Furnished Government accommodations at nominal rates l Rapid promotion to higher ranks i.e. Captian/its equivalents in 2 years, Major/its equivalent in 6 years, Lt Col/its equivalent in 11 years, officers are assured of ranks of Col/its equivalent in the three services before retirement. l Free ration for self. Allowances Retirement Benefits l Kit Maintenance Allowance è Pension l Dearness Allowance è Medical cover for self, wife and departments l House Rent Reimbursement è Canteen, mess and club facility l City Compensatory Allowance l Transport Allowance l Hill compensatory Allowance l High Altitude/Uncongenial Climate Allowance l Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance For Career Details in Defence Services Contact: 4 ARMY : The Additional Directorate- General of Recruiting, West Block -111, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066, website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in 4 NAVY : Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment (R&R), Integrated
Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy) Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 Tele : - 011-23729233, website: www.nausena-bharti.nic.in 4 AIR FORCE : Publicity Cell, Air HQs, 'Disha', Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi110011. Tele : 011-2330101231 Extn. 7080, website : www.careerairforce.com
